October 21, 2003	Tuesday	Sha'aban 24, 1424

DALLAS, Oct 20: One of the formerly conjoined Egyptian twin boys who underwent marathon surgery in Texas USA, a week ago to separate them was taken off the ventilator on Sunday and is breathing on his own, according to doctors at Children’s Medical Center here.

Doctor James Thomas, chief of critical care services, said Mohamed Ibrahim began unassisted breathing at about noon, and the medical team was “cautiously optimistic” he will not require re- intubation.

“If Ahmed continues to improve, he may be ready to come off the ventilator tomorrow,” Thomas added. “Once each twin is breathing on his own without respiratory distress, his condition may be upgraded from critical to guarded.”—AFP