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Two newborn boys born conjoined in Limpopo are stable
A fragile start, handled with calm urgency
In the quiet intensity of a delivery ward at Mankweng Tertiary Hospital, two newborn boys entered the world already bound to each other. Born on 28 January 2026, the conjoined twins are now in a stable condition, according to the Limpopo Health Department, and are receiving round-the-clock care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Their birth has drawn attention across the province, not only because of the rarity of conjoined twins, but because of the swift response by medical teams who ensured both babies and their mother came through the delivery safely.
From a rural referral to a tertiary hospital
The twins were delivered to a 29-year-old mother who had initially presented at Maputha Malatjie Hospital. During labour, doctors identified that the pregnancy involved conjoined twins, a diagnosis that had not been made earlier in the pregnancy. This prompted an urgent referral to Mankweng Tertiary Hospital, one of Limpopo’s key specialist centres.
According to department spokesperson Neil Shikwambana, the transfer allowed for the delivery to take place in an environment equipped with neonatal specialists and paediatric surgeons. The twins were successfully delivered and immediately admitted to the NICU, where they remain under close observation.
Initial assessments show that the babies are joined at the abdomen.
What conjoined twins mean medically
Conjoined twins occur when identical twins do not fully separate in the womb. It is a rare condition, estimated to happen in roughly one in every 50,000 to 100,000 births worldwide. Most cases involve twins joined at the chest or abdomen, and many do not survive pregnancy or birth.
Modern medicine, however, has changed what is possible. Early diagnosis, detailed imaging, and coordinated care between neonatologists, paediatric surgeons, and other specialists mean that some conjoined twins can go on to live longer lives and, in certain cases, may even be surgically separated. Each case is unique, and careful planning is essential before any decisions are made.
Care plans still taking shape
Health officials say further evaluations are underway to better understand how the twins are connected internally. These assessments will guide a longer-term management plan, which could take months or even years to unfold.
The mother is reported to be in good condition and is receiving care from relevant specialists. Limpopo Health MEC Dieketseng Mashego is expected to visit the twins, with details of the visit to be confirmed.
Not Limpopo’s first encounter with rare births
This is not the first time Limpopo’s public health system has faced such a rare case. In 2022, another set of conjoined twins was born at Jane Furse Hospital. That delivery, carried out via caesarean section, also resulted in the babies being transferred to Mankweng Hospital for specialist assessment.
In that instance, the pregnancy had initially been diagnosed as a normal twin pregnancy, and the conjoined birth came as a surprise. The mother recovered well, highlighting again how unpredictable such cases can be.
Public reaction and quiet hope
News of the newborn twins has sparked a wave of concern and support on social media, with many South Africans expressing hope for the babies and admiration for the medical teams involved. For families in Limpopo and beyond, stories like these often serve as reminders of both the fragility of life and the importance of accessible specialist healthcare.
For now, the focus remains on careful monitoring, expert assessment, and giving the twins the best possible start under extraordinarily complex circumstances.
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Source: The Citizen
Featured Image: SABC News
