POLOKWANE - One of the formerly conjoined Limpopo twins has died from sepsis. The infants underwent a complex, eight-hour separation surgery at Mankweng Hospital last month.
Doctors said the boys were joined at the abdomen and shared some organs.
The operation was widely celebrated as a major milestone for the rural hospital.
Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba said the tragedy may have been caused by people sneaking in to visit the twins.
"The biggest challenges become preparation between birth and operation is the first stage, anything can happen. Number one on the list, we always fear infection, that’s why we say no one must visit but sometimes people break that.
"The second stage will be during the surgical procedure. The operation was a success. The first weeks are also very sensitive, most of our neo-natals sometimes die of sepsis. With the babies, their immune systems are very weak, even if we put them in an ICU. We don’t know what could have happened," Ramathuba said.
READ | Conjoined twins successfully separated in Limpopo
She said some people could have been sneaking in and out.
"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. The team updated me they were worried. Prof took them to theatre.
"Unfortunately, late last night they called me to say they’re a bit worried. In the early hours of this morning the baby was deteriorating. I rushed to the hospital but mainly to support the team and the mother. I don’t know how to described how she feels.”