Conjoined twins born in Limpopo: A rare medical miracle

A 29-year-old woman has given birth to a set of male conjoined twins at Mankweng Tertiary Hospital, following an emergency referral from Maphutha Malatjie Hospital in Limpopo.

What began as a routine delivery at a district hospital quickly took a rare and complex turn when medical staff discovered during labour that the mother was carrying conjoined twins. With the diagnosis only made at that stage, the decision was taken to urgently transfer her to Mankweng Tertiary Hospital, where specialised medical teams were placed on standby.

The twins were delivered on January 28, 2026 and are joined at the abdomen. According to the Limpopo Department of Health, both babies are currently in a stable condition and are receiving specialised care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The mother is also reported to be in good condition and under the care of relevant specialists.

Paediatric surgeon Dr Nyaweleni Tshifularo confirmed that the immediate priority following the delivery was stabilising the babies.

“The twins were delivered successfully and received care in the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit. The first part was just to stabilise the baby. So after the birth of the baby, we went on just to resuscitate them, make sure they are alive, they are healthy,” he said.

Dr Tshifularo explained that the medical team has since begun a detailed assessment process to understand the extent of the connection between the twins.

“Now we had to go through the stages of examining and scanning them to see which part of the body are joined together. We’ve got that information and now the multidisciplinary team are going to sit down and come to a decision,” he said.

He added that the twins are joined in the trunk area, involving both the thorax and the abdomen, but remains optimistic about their prognosis.

“These ones have joined in the trunk, so that’s the thorax and the abdomen. And it looks like it’s a blessing from God, these ones will do very well,” he said, expressing confidence that a future separation surgery could be successful.

Dr Tshifularo also shed light on how conjoined twins are formed, describing it as a rare complication during the early stages of twinning.

“It’s a part of the twinning, so they were going to be born as twins. But something happened in the abdomen, in the uterus before they are born. It’s either they didn’t separate completely and then you end up with another baby on this side and they are still stuck together,” he explained.

“The cell that was supposed to be one cell divided into twins didn’t separate completely and then we end up with that. Most of it, we’re not sure really what caused it, but it’s related to the separation that didn’t happen properly,” he added.

Meanwhile, the mother of the twins, whose identity has been withheld, said she is still coming to terms with the shock of the rare birth but remains hopeful.

“It is the first time that I have experienced something like this. I used to see it happening to others and now I am the one in this situation. I’m still trying to make sense of everything,” she said.

Despite the uncertainty ahead, she expressed gratitude and faith.

“I am grateful to God for making me an example that such miracles still exist. And I remain hopeful that doctors will do everything in their power to help my babies.”

The Limpopo Department of Health confirmed that further medical evaluations are ongoing, led by neonatologists and paediatric surgeons, to determine the best course of treatment.

On Monday, Limpopo MEC for Health Dieketseng Mashego and Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba visited Mankweng Hospital to express support to hospital management, clinical staff and the mother.

amahle.luke@africannewsagency.com

Saturday Star