One of the conjoined Sithole twins born in January at Mankweng Hospital in Limpopo has died, weeks after a successful separation surgery. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi visited the family and stated that the deceased twin, a boy, had appeared stronger post-operation. The surviving twin is in a healthy condition.
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi visited Mankweng Hospital outside Polokwane following the death of one of the Sithole conjoined twins. The twins, conjoined at the abdomen, were born in January and successfully separated almost three weeks ago by a team of surgeons.
Motsoaledi paid condolences to the bereaved mother and noted that the late boy had been the stronger twin after surgery, while the survivor had been weaker. "Coincidentally I am told the baby we lost is the one [who was] the strongest after the operation [and] the one who has survived was the one who was the weakest," Motsoaledi said. He added that everything medically possible was done, though "life in the final analysis is in the hands of God not in the hands of human beings."
Limpopo Health MEC Dieketseng Mashego said the department will provide psycho-social support to the family. "We have spoken to the mother earlier on... she is in pain... but she understands... we have done everything that we can do," Mashego stated, adding that a psychologist has been arranged.
The other twin remains in a healthy condition, according to Motsoaledi.