South Africa Separates Conjoined Twins in Rural Hospital

In a groundbreaking medical achievement, a multidisciplinary team at Mankweng Hospital near Polokwane in Limpopo province successfully separated conjoined twin boys during an eight-hour surgery on Tuesday. The identical twins, born on January 28, 2026, at the same rural facility, were joined at the abdomen and chest, sharing vital organs including the liver.

The procedure, which began around 7 a.m. and concluded shortly after 3 p.m., was led by Professor Nyaweleni Tshifularo, head of paediatric surgery in the Limpopo Department of Health. The team included paediatric surgeons, plastic surgeons for skin grafting, anaesthetists, nurses, psychologists, dieticians, social workers, and registrars. Prior to the operation, the infants had been stabilized from their critical birth condition, with extensive preoperative studies to map their shared anatomy. "God has been great. We have successfully done what needed to be done. The babies have been separated, they are alive, and the mother is crying tears of joy," Tshifularo said at a press conference following the surgery. He emphasized the collaborative effort, noting that preparations included pastoral care for the team.