Urgent Medical Evaluation Underway for Conjoined Twins Born in Papua New Guinea
A team of specialized doctors from Sydney has arrived in Papua New Guinea to assess the feasibility of surgically separating six-week-old conjoined twins, Tom and Sawong, in a case that has captured international attention. The brothers, born in a remote region of the country, face a precarious future as they share vital organs and require complex medical intervention unavailable locally.
Born just over six weeks ago, Tom and Sawong are joined at the lower abdomen, sharing a single liver and portions of their gastrointestinal tract. The situation is further complicated by Tom’s congenital heart defect and the presence of only one kidney. Despite these significant challenges, the twins have remarkably survived, offering a glimmer of hope amidst a deeply concerning medical situation.
Race Against Time: Securing Specialized Care
This week, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) was granted exclusive access to the twins, currently receiving care in a neonatal intensive unit at a private hospital in Port Moresby. Images reveal the boys lying face-to-face in a plastic incubator, surrounded by pillows and blankets, their legs intertwined in peaceful slumber. Subtle signs of life – a clenched fist, a fluttering eyelid, a twitching mouth – provide comfort to their parents and the dedicated medical team.
Every hour, specialist nurses carefully reposition the twins and provide nourishment. While Sawong is able to feed from a syringe, Tom requires nutrition through a nasogastric tube. The delicate process underscores the complexity of their care and the urgent need for a long-term solution.
“One Body, Two Souls”: A Community Rallies
The journey to secure adequate medical attention for Tom and Sawong has been fraught with obstacles. Jurgen Ruh, a pilot who has been instrumental in supporting the family, poignantly described the twins as “One body, two souls,” a sentiment he shared on the flight plan submitted when airlifting them from Lae to Port Moresby shortly after their birth. Ruh, owner of an aviation company specializing in medical evacuations, has tirelessly advocated for the twins to receive care overseas, recognizing the limitations of medical facilities within Papua New Guinea.
“If you leave the children here where they are totally unattended or without any options, it is certain one will die and take the other one with him,” Ruh stated, emphasizing the dire consequences of inaction. “It’s an awful death for the twins … and all the parents want is that we try something.”
Initial Setbacks and a Shift to Private Care
Initial attempts to transfer the twins to Sydney faced resistance. The Port Moresby General Hospital, where they were initially treated, explored the possibility of a referral but ultimately deemed it too risky, citing the extremely low likelihood of both twins surviving the separation procedure. According to the hospital’s CEO, Dr. Paki Molumi, the decision was made in consultation with Australian doctors and prioritized the twins’ well-being within the constraints of available resources.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed that funding was not a barrier to the decision. However, the parents, seeking more comprehensive care, opted to move Tom and Sawong to Paradise Private Hospital, where they now have a dedicated ward and nursing team.
“It’s the best environment we can provide for them in Papua New Guinea, taking into consideration possible cross-infections and catching of malaria,” Ruh explained. Janet Sios, co-owner of Paradise Private Hospital, expressed her deep empathy for the family, stating, “I feel as a mother, what can I do? What can I do? Is there anything else I could do?” She assured the family that the twins could remain in the unit for as long as necessary.
Australian Team Assesses Separation Possibilities
On Thursday, a team from the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network arrived in Port Moresby to evaluate the twins and advise on the potential for surgical separation. The team declined to comment publicly, stating their priority is gathering information and meeting with the family, with a transfer to Australia not yet guaranteed. Sios expressed hope for a positive outcome, noting that they are “working with specialists from Australia” and “looking at every option.”
A spokesperson for Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed the government is “working closely with our partners in Papua New Guinea to help ensure the twins receive the best medical care,” adding that their thoughts are with the family during this difficult time.
Ruh revealed that the parents, speaking through him, are emotionally exhausted but remain hopeful. “It’s been a long journey and it’s very emotional. Today I think was, for all of us, a rough ride,” he said. “We’ve been talking to three different countries to hopefully take on the twins and whoever is the first one with the solution we’ll most likely go with it. We’re open to anyone and everyone to help us.” He firmly believes the brothers possess a remarkable will to live, describing them as “survivors.”
