The Siamese twins born in the Free State last week were separated in an operation at the Universitas Academic Hospital in Bloemfontein on Monday.

Free State health spokesperson Elke de Witt said the twins, Thabiseng and Moleboheng Moeng, were successfully separated.

"The two baby girls were separated this morning (Monday) at the Universitas Academic Hospital (UAH) in Bloemfontein in an hour-long operation by two teams of specialists."

The operation was performed under the leadership of Dr Esme le Grange, pediatric surgeon and Professor Johan Diedericks, head of the department of anaesthesiology at the hospital.

The babies were flown by emergency helicopter from Welkom to the hospital on Thursday last week for observation and evaluation.

De Witt said the baby girls were conjoined at the epigastrium — the area above the belly button.

"The surgery required closure of the epigastric fascia (abdominal skin wall) of both babies."

De Witt said no primary organs were shared and two teams of specialist's work simultaneously on the girls.

The infants are currently admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at UAH and are under close observation.

De Witt said their conditions were stable.

The mother of the babies was discharged from the Bongani regional hospital in Welkom on Monday and was en route to Bloemfontein.

Free State MEC for health Sakhiwe Belot said the department was proud of the teams who performed the operation.

"I had the greatest of confidence from the onset in their capabilities and know that the babies had the best of care," said Belot in a statement.

Sapa