The parents of conjoined twins born before Christmas introduced their new arrivals to the world today as they posed for photographs before being discharged from Cork University Maternity Hospital where they've been treated for the past few weeks.
Corkwoman, Angie Benhaffaf and her Algerian born husband, Azzedine posed for photographs with tiny Hassan and Hussein along with the couple's other children, the twins' sisters, Malika (4) and Iman (2) and thanked the public for their support.
"We very much appreciate the positive response to our request for privacy from the media and the public, but we also know that there is genuine interest in the progress of our 'two little fighters," said the parents in a statement.
"We have taken the decision to issue this photo of our family as we head for home in East Cork. We again hope that our privacy at home will be fully respected as we enjoy what will be a very special time for us as a family before we return to London for the boys' separation later this year.
"We also wish to record our gratitiude to all the truly wonderful staff in Cork University Maternity Hospital for the care and attention they have lavished on ourselves and the boys."
The two little boys were born seven weeks ago at University College Hospital in London but returned in late December to Cork University Maternity Hospital where they've responded well to care and have gained weight to the point that they are now fit for discharge.
The twins are expected to return to London within the next few months to undergo a separation procedure at Great Ormond Street Hospital which is the leading centre for the management and conjoined twins in Europe.
It's understood that the twins are conjoined at the chest area but don't share any vital organs making separation possible and leading the surgical team, which will carry out the procedure is Cork-born paediatric surgeon, Edward Kiely
Mr Kiely revealed that Great Ormond Street Hospital is the most experienced centre in Europe for the management and, if necessary, the separation of conjoined twins with the teams having dealt with some 21 separations and some nine inoperable cases to date.
"Separation is best carried out at a tertiary centre with the full range of specialties on hand. We have the two most experienced surgeons in the UK in this work leading a team of expert nurses, doctors, and other health professionals, providing the full range of expertise needed."
