HYDERABAD: While conjoined twins Veena and Vani celebrated their 14th birthday in a crammed room in the post-surgical neonatal Intensive Care Unit ( NICU ) at Niloufer Hospital on Saturday, there was little cheer for her parents and health activists.Reason: Prolonged stay of over 11 years in the hospital has made the twins susceptible to skin allergies, with poor ventilation in the room increasing chances of infection too. The room has an old air-conditioner, but that only contributes to circulation of virus within the surgical NICU, say members of city-based NGO Helping Hand Foundation (HHF). "The AC ducts and filter need regular cleaning, but that is hardly done, making them prone to developing skin rashes," said Mujtaba Hasan Askari, president of HHF, who visited the twins on Saturday.Askari said compelling Veena and Vani to live, eat and study in one small room without any fresh air and natural light was worse than imprisonment. He said their 'confinement' was a gross violation of child rights."It is unfortunate that the government's delay in rehabilitating them outside the hospital is beginning to take a toll on their health," said Askari. Even the twins' caretakers have reportedly developed skin allergies due to the damp and dingy conditions in the room, but this could not be confirmed.In fact, M Murali, father of the twins, told TOI that only a month ago he had noticed reddish marks on Vani's face, but she was better when he visited the hospital on Saturday. "We were informed by the hospital staff that some medications were given when they noticed Vani had skin problems," said Murali, who visited the hospital with his entire family for a brief get-together.However, when contacted, Niloufer Hospital superintendent Dr C Suresh said the twins never had any major health issues despite living in the room for 11 years."We are providing them all possible amenities, but it is a fact that hospital environment is not good for children as they are susceptible to contracting diseases. They must live in a natural environment. It is for the government to decide where they should be rehabilitated," he said. Meanwhile, a development in the medical fraternity in faraway New York has rekindled hopes in parents of Veena and Vani. A similar successful separation surgery was performed on twin boys Anias and Jadon McDonald by a team of doctors led by Dr. James Goodrich in New York on Friday.The twins parents hope doctors here are able to replicate the medical feat. "We gave our consent in writing to the state government to explore the possibility of surgical separation for Veena and Vani but no steps have been taken so far," said Murali.