New conjoined twins emerge after demise of Maria, Consolata

Dar/Dodoma. The death of Maria and Consolata, the conjoined twins, on Saturday, has brought to light lives of other conjoined twins, who have been admitted to the Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH).

The twins, Maryness and Anisia, were born on January 29, this year, in Kagera Region.

They have been admitted to MNH since February, their mother, Jonesia Jovitus, 21, told The Citizen in a telephone interview.

She further noted that plans were underway to transfer the twins to Saudi Arabia for further treatment towards end of the month. The issue of conjoined twins also emerged in Parliament when Ms Suzan Lyimo (Special Seats-Chadema) asked the Health ministry about the authenticity of a video clip which went viral recently, showing images of the twins.

Responding to Ms Lyimo’s question, Health minister Ummy Mwalimu said the government has already directed that the conjoined twins be brought to MNH for treatment.

She said the Health ministry had written to the Kagera Regional Medical Officer to ensure that the twins were transferred to MNH as soon as possible.

“We’ve well trained doctors at MNH. They are required to examine the twins and advise on the way forward,” she said, adding that after examining the twins, the doctors would propose whether it would be possible to separate them at MNH or whether they would have to be referred to specialised hospitals abroad.

However, the minister was not specific on whether the twins in question were actually Maryness and Anisia

According to Ms Mwalimu, after losing Maria and Consolata – the conjoined twins who died on Saturday aged 21 – the government was determined to ensure that all conjoined twins received the highest level of health care wherever they were.

“Allow me to take this opportunity to ask Tanzanians to report cases of the existence of children born with any form of abnormality to the ministry, and we will act accordingly,” she said.

Maria and Consolata were born in Makete District, Njombe Region, in 1996. They went to Ikonda Primary School for their early education. They then attended Maria Consolata Secondary School and Udzungwa Secondary School.