News / Africa
SA baby boy born with two heads dies
25 Mar 2014 at 13:09hrs | Views
THE SA baby boy, from Mpumalanga, born with two perfectly formed heads has reportedly died.
According to Daily Sun the baby died at Rob Ferreira Hospital in Mbombela on Saturday.
Department spokesman Ronnie Masilela said: "while doctors were still looking at a possible way to deal with the situation, one of the boy's heads wasn't responding well. He died a week after he was delivered by emergency Caesarean section at the same hospital.
"Doctors are of the opinion that the failure of the other head to respond to treatment might have been the reason that led to his death," said Masilela.
He said the mother did not have any ultrasound examinations during her pregnancy and was made aware of the baby's condition only a few moments before the birth.
Dr Eric Khumalo, a private surgeon in Mbombela, said last week: "Children born with two heads are one in 10 million. And their chances of survival are very small, with or without surgery."
Traditional healers and religious leaders in the area were also divided as to whether a baby born with two perfectly formed heads was a curse or a blessing.
Phephisile Maseko, national co-ordinator of the Traditional Healers Organisation was initially speechless when she learned of the boy's case.
"This is a miracle. I don't know if it is a bad or good miracle. How do you begin to introduce such a child to their ancestors?
"Do you give them two names or one? This will also leave the ancestors confused," Maseko said.
She said others may come up with a biblical explanation for this.
"They would probably say it's a gift from God, but I doubt if God can give you such a gift," she added.
Reverend Luke Dlamini, secretary of the SA Council of Churches in Mpumalanga, said the child was a gift from God.
"Everything happens through the plan of God and he will have a very good reason for this case," said Dlamini.
According to Daily Sun the baby died at Rob Ferreira Hospital in Mbombela on Saturday.
Department spokesman Ronnie Masilela said: "while doctors were still looking at a possible way to deal with the situation, one of the boy's heads wasn't responding well. He died a week after he was delivered by emergency Caesarean section at the same hospital.
"Doctors are of the opinion that the failure of the other head to respond to treatment might have been the reason that led to his death," said Masilela.
He said the mother did not have any ultrasound examinations during her pregnancy and was made aware of the baby's condition only a few moments before the birth.
Dr Eric Khumalo, a private surgeon in Mbombela, said last week: "Children born with two heads are one in 10 million. And their chances of survival are very small, with or without surgery."
Traditional healers and religious leaders in the area were also divided as to whether a baby born with two perfectly formed heads was a curse or a blessing.
"This is a miracle. I don't know if it is a bad or good miracle. How do you begin to introduce such a child to their ancestors?
"Do you give them two names or one? This will also leave the ancestors confused," Maseko said.
She said others may come up with a biblical explanation for this.
"They would probably say it's a gift from God, but I doubt if God can give you such a gift," she added.
Reverend Luke Dlamini, secretary of the SA Council of Churches in Mpumalanga, said the child was a gift from God.
"Everything happens through the plan of God and he will have a very good reason for this case," said Dlamini.
Source - Daily Sun
