DAR ES SALAAM, June 5 (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. Enditem
