The Zambia Flying Doctor Service (ZFDS) has successfully evacuated two-day-old conjoined twins from Kitwe teaching hospital to Lusaka's University Teaching Hospital mother and child for emergency specialized neonatal care.

The life-saving mission was conducted this morning following a request from Kitwe Teaching Hospital Senior Medical Superintendent, Dr. Chileshe Mboni.

According to Dr. Mboni, the twins were delivered yesterday at the hospital through a caesarean section.

He explained that the babies are dicephalus parapagus conjoined twins (sharing one body with two heads) and were experiencing respiratory distress accompanied by peripheral cyanosis, requiring urgent specialist intervention.

Noting the condition of the conjoined twins air transport was considered fastest.

ZFDS deployed its Caravan aircraft, registration 9J-FDS, for the emergency operation. The aircraft was flown by Director of Aviation Services , Lasford Manchisi, with Co-Pilot Elvis Kite.

During the flight from Kitwe to Lusaka, paramedic Susan Banda and midwife Herman Mwale closely monitored the twins’ vital signs and oxygen levels to ensure their stability throughout the journey.

Upon arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, the ZFDS team safely handed over the mother and the conjoined twins to a specialized medical team for advanced neonatal care.