Urgent Transfer of Conjoined Twins to Australia for Surgery

A rare case of conjoined twins is prompting an urgent medical transfer from Papua New Guinea to Australia. Tom and Sawong, who were born two months ago, are being airlifted to Sydney after doctors recommended immediate separation due to health concerns. The twins, joined at the lower abdomen and sharing vital organs, require complex surgery that cannot be performed in Papua New Guinea.

This critical transfer follows weeks of negotiations between medical teams in Papua New Guinea and specialists from the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, who arrived in Port Moresby to facilitate their care. The boys were initially treated at Port Moresby General Hospital but were moved to Paradise Private Hospital for better care amid deteriorating health conditions.

Tom’s health has been particularly concerning; he has a congenital heart defect and only one kidney. Recently, his condition worsened, leading doctors to expedite their transfer to Sydney for urgent intervention. According to Polapoi Chalau, the chief executive of Paradise Private Hospital, Tom exhibited signs of low albumin, a critical protein for fluid balance in the body. “I think we’ve just about reached that critical level now – something needs to be done,” he stated.

Specialized Care Awaiting in Sydney

The medical team from Sydney has expressed that Sawong has a reasonable chance of survival post-surgery, while Tom’s long-term prospects remain uncertain. They indicated that Sawong has been helping to support Tom, necessitating their early separation. A letter from the Sydney team outlined plans for a thorough examination upon arrival, including MRI and CT scans, to assess their anatomy and vascular supply.

A multidisciplinary team will oversee the twins’ care, comprising liver surgeons, colorectal surgeons, urologists, specialized cardiac anaesthetists, and neonatologists, among others. The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network emphasized the need for funding to ensure the twins receive proper care prior to their transfer.

The transfer follows a previous recommendation against sending the twins overseas by doctors at Port Moresby General Hospital. Chief executive Paki Molumi noted that consultations with Australian doctors led to concerns about the likelihood of both twins surviving the separation. After this decision, the parents sought alternatives, leading to the transfer to Paradise Private Hospital.

Hope Amid Challenges

The parents of Tom and Sawong have been holding onto hope throughout this ordeal. Janet Sios, co-owner of Paradise Private Hospital, shared that the emotional strain on the family has been significant. “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 remarked.

Dr. Chalau expressed relief that the twins are finally being transferred to a facility equipped to handle their complex needs. He acknowledged the challenges faced in negotiating the transfer with various stakeholders, including foreign governments. “Getting them overseas is just a start,” he said. “Surgery is just part of it, but the long-term care and rehabilitation is another thing.”

As arrangements are finalized for the twins’ transport to Sydney, the medical community and their families remain cautiously optimistic about the next steps in this extraordinary medical journey.