LIMPOPO – One of the conjoined twin boys who underwent separation surgery in March at Mankweng Hospital in Limpopo has died from organ failure, Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba has confirmed.

Ramathuba made the announcement during a media briefing on Friday at the hospital.

The twins were born on 28 January and were joined at the abdomen, sharing some organs. They were successfully separated on 28 March during a complex eight-hour operation led by Professor Nyaweleni Tshifularo.

Ramathuba said she received a call early on Good Friday informing her that one of the twins was experiencing multiple organ failure.

“A follow-up call later confirmed that, despite the team’s best efforts, the baby had sadly passed away,” she said.

She described the day as deeply painful.

“It is supposed to be a Good Friday, but it is not a good one for us. We had hoped to see these babies grow and succeed in life.”

The medical team had been closely monitoring both infants after the surgery, which began at about 7:45 and concluded shortly after 15:00.

On the fifth day after surgery, concerns emerged about possible infection.

“In neonatology units, sepsis is a common and serious complication,” Ramathuba said. “Many newborns succumb to infections, particularly in the critical first two weeks after surgery.”

She explained that post-operative infections can lead to septicaemia, organ failure and death.

The affected twin was taken back to theatre more than once as doctors attempted to identify and address the cause.

“The baby showed signs of recovery, and after two and a half weeks we believed the danger had passed,” she said. “However, in the past two days, the condition worsened significantly.”

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Ramathuba suggested that people may have been sneaking in to visit the twins, potentially causing the infection.

“The reason we kept saying we can’t show you pictures of the babies is that we can’t let anyone closer to babies except the attending clinicians. Unfortunately, sometimes the family wants to come and you don’t know what could have happened,” she said.

Despite the loss, Ramathuba said the surgery itself was successful.

“The babies were separated successfully, which is a remarkable achievement. Unfortunately, infection set in.”

The separation surgery was widely celebrated as a major milestone for the rural hospital.

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