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TANZANIAN-TWINS-DEATH
Tanzanian conjoined twins die at age 21
DAR ES SALAAM, June 5, 2018 (BSS/XINHUA) – Two Tanzanian conjoined sisters
died Saturday at the age of 21 following a long illness, the president of the
east African nation said Sunday.
Maria and Consolata Mwakikuti, who were joined at the abdomen and shared
organs such as the livers and lungs, have died after suffering respiratory
complications at a local hospital.
Maria passed away first, at 2:30 p.m. local time (1130 GMT) on Saturday,
and fifteen minutes later Consolata died, according to CNN.
The conjoined twins, born in 1996 in the southern highlands region of
Njombe, became famous last September when they were admitted to a Tanzanian
university.
Last December, Maria was diagnosed with a respiratory problem resulting
from an inoperable chest deformity, Dr. Faith Kundy, a physician at Iringa
Regional Hospital where the twins spent their last days, told CNN in an
interview.
“They underwent tests and it was very unfortunate that nothing could be
done,” said Kundy.
The death of the conjoined twins has caused sadness nationwide.
“I’m saddened by the death of Maria and Consolata. When I visited them at
the hospital, they prayed for the nation. Their dream was to serve our
nation. Condolences to their family and all those affected by their deaths,”
Tanzanian President John Magufuli tweeted Sunday.
“Rest in peace Maria and Consolata. You lived your life right when you
were here on earth,” tweeted Tanzania’s Deputy Minister for Health Faustine
Ndugulile.
BSS/XINHUA/GMR/1043 hrs