Pom Gen doctors stand firm: Conjoined twins too fragile for overseas referral

Medical specialists at Port Moresby General Hospital [PMGH] have confirmed they will not be referring the critically ill conjoined twins, brought from Lae, to Australia, citing extreme medical risks.

At a press briefing yesterday, Chief Executive Officer Dr. Paki Molumi and Director of Medical Services Dr. Kone Sobi emphasized that while international assistance is welcome, moving the twins could be life-threatening.

"We are happy to support any organization or NGO willing to take this case abroad, but clinically, referral at this stage is too risky," Dr. Molumi said. "The twins have been in neonatal care for nearly a month, and right now, it is not suitable to move them."

The twins, born joined at the lower abdomen, face complex congenital conditions: one has a single kidney, hypoplastic lungs, and severe heart defects. Both share a liver, urinary bladder, portions of the gastrointestinal tract, and have spinal dysraphism. Doctors warn that surgical separation now could mean losing one twin.

Paediatrician Dr. Gamini Vali reported that the babies are stable under hospital care, feeding through tubes and receiving treatment for infections and oxygen support as needed.

"Currently the twins are still under our care. They are tolerating feeds well. The twin, the twin two, is tolerating up to 30ml of milk via tube well," he said.

"The other sicker twin is tolerating some feeds by destroying some fluids as well. We're managing their infection. If they require oxygen, we give them the appropriate treatment that they should get."

Dr. Sobi stressed the emotional toll on the parents: "It's not an easy thing for anyone, let alone the parents, to absorb that kind of information," he said. "They would want anything to be done to their babies.

"Especially, we need to give them the direction. If we take this approach, this is the likely outcome. If we don't take this approach, this is the likely outcome. It's our job to ensure that. How will they understand this? It's another thing that I really have to ask the parents and families.

"So much information from different people, will even confuse them further in my view."

The twins were medevacked to Port Moresby on 15th October from Angau Hospital following their birth at Braun Hospital in Finshaffen, Morobe. Specialists say their care requires constant monitoring and careful clinical decisions.

With international hospitals expressing willingness to help, PMGH maintains its stance: safety first. The hospital says it will continue to support any responsible organization prepared to assume full responsibility for the delicate transfer.