At MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur, a 28‑year‑old mother from Kandhamal district delivered a baby with two heads and one body on Tuesday. The infant was immediately moved to the Special Newborn Care Unit for observation.
Doctors say the condition, known as dicephalic‑diprosopus, is extremely rare, with fewer than 50 cases reported worldwide. They are currently mapping the baby's internal organs to determine whether the heads share critical structures.
The medical team will decide whether surgical intervention is possible or if the baby requires long‑term intensive care. The family has been briefed on the possibilities, and parents are awaiting further updates.
The case has drawn national attention, prompting the state health department to review protocols for managing complex congenital anomalies. Officials plan to release a statement after the initial assessment.