Identical twin babies, who were born in January to a 29-year-old mother, were successfully separated on Tuesday at Mankweng Hospital by a team of doctors led by Professor Nyaweleni Tshifularo.
The twins were joined at the abdomen, and the complex operation marked the first time such a procedure has been successfully performed at a rural hospital in Limpopo.
The surgery was done to give both babies a chance to live normal, healthy lives.
Doctors said the procedure was very difficult and required careful planning, skill and teamwork.
Professor Tshifularo confirmed that the operation was successful and that everything went well. He said the babies are now separated, alive and recovering, and that the mother is overwhelmed with joy.
Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba said the babies are in a stable condition. They have been moved to the neonatal intensive care unit (ICU), where they are being closely monitored.
The babies are still on ventilators to help them recover after the surgery. Ramathuba also said the government will support the family and help build them a house.
She added that this achievement shows that rural hospitals can perform advanced medical procedures and that more investment should be made in these facilities.President Cyril Ramaphosa congratulated the doctors during a video call.
He praised the team and called them “miracle workers” for completing such a complicated operation.
This successful surgery is an important moment for healthcare in South Africa and shows that even rural hospitals can achieve world-class results.
Sub-Editor : Sekgala Mokgadi
