Urgent Transfer of Conjoined Twins to Australia for Vital Surgery

A rare case of conjoined twins is prompting an urgent airlift from Papua New Guinea to Australia, where doctors recommend immediate surgical separation. The twins, named Tom and Sawong, were born two months ago in a remote area of Papua New Guinea and are currently being transferred to a specialist facility in Sydney due to their critical health condition.

The boys are joined at the lower abdomen and share vital organs, including a single liver and parts of their gastrointestinal tract. This complex medical situation necessitates specialized care that is not available in Papua New Guinea. After weeks of negotiations, the twins are expected to arrive in Sydney soon, where they will undergo highly intricate surgery.

Tom, the smaller of the two, is facing additional health challenges. He has a congenital heart defect and only one kidney, and his condition has worsened in recent days. Polapoi Chalau, chief executive of Paradise Private Hospital in Port Moresby, indicated that Tom is showing signs of low albumin, a protein crucial for fluid balance in the body. “I think we’ve just about reached that critical level now – something needs to be done,” he stated.

Medical Team Mobilized for Transfer

A team from the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network arrived in Port Moresby earlier today to facilitate the transfer of the twins. In a letter to local doctors, the Sydney specialists detailed the urgency of the situation, noting that Tom has multiple congenital anomalies, while Sawong has a better chance of survival post-surgery.

“The reason for the early separation is that Sawong is working hard to support Tom,” the letter explained. It emphasized the need for immediate transport with a specialized medical team to ensure the twins’ safety during the journey.

Once in Sydney, the twins will receive comprehensive evaluations, including MRI and CT scans, to map their anatomy and vascular supply. A multidisciplinary team will manage their care, involving liver surgeons, neonatologists, and specialized cardiac anaesthetists, among others. Financial arrangements for their treatment must be confirmed prior to the transfer.

Challenges and Hopes of the Family

The decision to transfer Tom and Sawong follows earlier recommendations against overseas transport due to concerns about their chances of survival. Chief executive of Port Moresby General Hospital, Paki Molumi, had stated that the hospital’s team concluded it was in the best interest of the twins to continue care locally. However, mounting pressure and a deteriorating condition for Tom led to a reconsideration of this stance.

Dr. Chalau expressed relief at the transfer, noting the limited resources at their facility. “They are a very special case that we have in here, and with the limited resources that we have, that puts more pressure on us,” he said. The parents had previously sought government support for funding their treatment, reflecting their determination to secure the best possible outcome for their children.

Despite the emotional upheaval, the family remains hopeful. Janet Sios, co-owner of Paradise Private Hospital, stated, “The hope of the parents is that they must go down and get the best they can get. Hope is what they’re holding on to.” She also expressed optimism about the future, saying, “Even if Tom doesn’t make it and Sawong makes it, Sawong might be a prime minister one day, he might be even a doctor one day.”

While the transfer marks a significant step forward, Dr. Chalau cautioned that the road ahead remains long. “Surgery is just part of it, but the long-term care and rehabilitation is another thing,” he concluded. This situation underscores not only the medical challenges but also the deep familial bonds and hopes that drive the quest for care.