After a life-threatening battle, twin baby Kwandokuhle is finally home for Christmas

The festive season brought an extra layer of joy and relief for the Ndlovu family of Howick as they celebrated a reunion unlike any other. Their twin son, Kwandokuhle, returned home after an arduous multi-month struggle for survival in a paediatric intensive care unit, which had seen him fighting life-threatening health conditions since birth.

It was April 2025 when the Ndlovus welcomed their twin boys, Kwandokuhle and Kwenzokuhle, into the world. However, just over a month later, both fell seriously ill with a flu-like condition. Andile Ndlovu recalls the dread that settled in when his sons were rushed to the hospital. “Kwenzo was placed in isolation while we awaited their blood test results,” he said, fearing the worst.

The twins were diagnosed with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common but potentially fatal viral infection in infants. Complicating matters, doctors discovered a concerning hole in Kwandokuhle's heart, just as his health began to decline. While Kwenzo remained at the local hospital, hope for Kwandokuhle lay in a transfer to Netcare Waterfall City Hospital in Gauteng, where specialised care was available.

“We were terrified,” Ndlovu said, recounting the moment doctors suggested the option of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). This advanced treatment was a last resort, but the risks were daunting. Yet, it was the only chance for Kwandokuhle to survive.

Netcare's ECMO retrieval service, designed for critically ill children, was quickly mobilised, uniting a team of highly trained paramedics and doctors, including cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Sharmel Bhika. “Playing a vital role in the transport of such tiny patients is complex and demanding,” she said, highlighting the extensive training involved in managing patients like Kwandokuhle.

According to Dr Bhika, “ECMO is a form of life support where specialised equipment takes over the function of the heart and lungs, providing them with crucial time to heal.” As Kwandokuhle struggled on maximum ventilatory support, the need for ECMO became a desperate yet necessary option.

With intense collaboration, the team planned the long-distance transfer, ensuring all equipment was ready for the procedure. The sight of twenty medical professionals surrounding their small baby was harrowing for the Ndlovu family. However, after a successful four-hour preparation for ECMO, hope began to flicker once again.

Secured in life-support, Kwandokuhle was transported efficiently through various means; first by ambulance, then via a medical evacuation flight to Lanseria, followed by an ambulance ride to the Netcare Waterfall City Hospital’s paediatric ICU.

“It was agonising to watch our baby be put on the plane,” Ndlovu said, recalling how his other son, Kwenzo, was left in the care of grandparents before they could make the journey to Gauteng. In the paediatric ICU, Dr Palesa Monyake and her team provided Kwandokuhle with round-the-clock care. “He was extremely ill, battling a severe lung infection while contending with a heart defect,” Dr Monyake said, underscoring the challenges their team faced to give Kwandokuhle a fighting chance.

Throughout this trying period, the Ndlovu family maintained a strong connection with hospital staff, receiving updates regularly while managing life back home. Eventually, after two-and-a-half months on ECMO, the day arrived when Kwandokuhle could be weaned off life support, but a pivotal heart surgery awaited him.

“He faced a major hurdle, the surgical repair of his congenital heart defect,” Dr Bhika explained, detailing the potential consequences had the surgery not been successful. The operation was a resounding success, and Kwandokuhle’s rapid recovery left the family overjoyed.

“When we visited the next day after his heart operation, we couldn’t believe the transformation. He was smiling again,” Ndlovu said, describing the moment with palpable emotion. Finally, after months spent apart from his twin and family, Kwandokuhle was well enough for the journey back home to their local hospital.

As the Ndlovu family welcomed Kwandokuhle home, the joy of seeing the twins together was overwhelming. “Celebrating our first Christmas as a family at home was the greatest gift,” Ndlovu reflected, “As parents, we are immensely grateful for the medical team that fought for our son’s life. Now, Kwandokuhle and Kwenzokuhle play together as they should, and we are recording these precious memories for the future.”

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