Urgent Airlift for Conjoined Twins from Papua New Guinea to Australia

A rare case involving conjoined twins has led to an urgent airlift from Papua New Guinea to Australia. The twins, named Tom and Sawong, were born two months ago and are being transferred to Sydney for life-saving surgery. Medical experts have determined that separation is necessary as their health has reached a critical point.

The boys are joined at the lower abdomen and share vital organs, including a single liver and parts of their gastrointestinal tract. Specialists from the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network arrived in Port Moresby on the morning of March 15, 2024, to facilitate their transfer. Previous recommendations suggested that the twins remain in PNG, but the deteriorating condition of Tom has shifted the urgency of the situation.

Tom, the smaller twin, has a congenital heart defect and only one kidney, which has further complicated his health. Polapoi Chalau, the chief executive of Paradise Private Hospital, where the twins were treated until their transfer, noted that Tom exhibited signs of low albumin, a protein essential for fluid balance. “I think we’ve just about reached that critical level now – something needs to be done,” he stated.

Complex Surgery Ahead for Tom and Sawong

In a recent communication, the Sydney medical team expressed concerns about Tom’s survival, citing multiple congenital anomalies. The specialists indicated that Sawong has a better chance of survival post-surgery. Their letter emphasized the urgency of the twins’ transfer, noting that Sawong has been exerting significant effort to support Tom.

Once in Sydney, the twins will undergo a series of investigative procedures, including MRI and CT scans, to map their anatomy and vascular supply. A multidisciplinary team will prepare for the complex separation surgery, which involves liver surgeons, colorectal specialists, urologists, and cardiac anaesthetists, among others.

Funding for the twins’ medical care remains a crucial requirement before the transfer can occur. Their parents have reportedly reached out to the PNG government seeking financial support for the necessary treatment.

The decision to transfer the twins comes after a challenging period of negotiations. Initially, doctors at Port Moresby General Hospital advised against sending them overseas due to concerns over their survival during separation. Chief executive Paki Molumi stated that consultations with Australian doctors led to the conclusion that it was in the best interest of the twins to continue care locally.

However, after a team from the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network assessed the twins two weeks ago, they recommended immediate transfer to a specialized facility.

Hope and Challenges Ahead

The transfer has been an emotional journey for the twins’ parents. Janet Sios, co-owner of Paradise Private Hospital, shared the family’s hopes for the boys. “Hope is what they’re holding on to,” she remarked, expressing optimism for the potential outcomes of the surgery. “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,” she added.

Dr. Chalau emphasized that while getting the twins to Australia marks a significant step, it is just the beginning of a long process. “Surgery is just part of it, but the long-term care and rehabilitation is another thing,” he explained.

As the twins await their transfer, the medical teams and their families remain focused on the immediate goal: ensuring that Tom and Sawong receive the best possible care to improve their chances for a brighter future.