REFERRAL FOR CONJOINED TWINS OVERSEAS TOO RISKY, SAYS DR. PAKI MOLUMI
By Mimi Pio
The Chief Executive Officer of Port Moresby General Hospital, Dr. Paki Molumi, has confirmed that referring the conjoined twins overseas for surgery at this stage would be too risky on clinical grounds.
The case of the twins, Tom and Sawong from remote Gagidu, Finschhafen District in Morobe Province has drawn public attention following their medical evacuation from Angau Memorial Hospital in Lae to Port Moresby on October 15, 2025, for special medical care.
The twins are conjoined at the abdomen. Following thorough examination and assessments by Port Moresby General Hospital (PGH) multidisciplinary clinical team. Doctors found that the twins have ‘complex congenital anomalies.’
According to the Director of Medical Services, Dr. Kone Sobi, one of the twins has a single kidney, underdeveloped lungs (hypoplastic lungs), and a congenital heart defect (problem with structure of heart at birth). Both share a liver, urinary bladder, and part of their gastrointestinal tract – which they both consume milk and fluids, but only one twin performs waste removal.
They also have spinal dysraphism (deformed spinal cords at birth).
Dr. Molumi explained that medical assessments showed that the twins are too fragile for any referral abroad.
He said, after consultations with local specialists and children’s ward in Sydney, Australia. Doctors concluded that an overseas referral for surgery is not advisable at this stage.
He clarified that the decision was made purely on medical grounds, not due to financial or other constraints.
Dr. Molumi added that the twins currently weigh around 3kg, and surgery at this stage would have a very low chance of survival.
“Should separation occur on the twins it would likely be the survival of one twin,” Dr. Molumi stated.
He further explained that, even after surgery, long-term medical care, interventions, and rehabilitation would be extensive and challenging for the family to sustain.
The parents, who have two other children aged 8 and 12, have been fully briefed on these considerations.
However, Dr. Molumi said, PMGH remains open to providing medical reports and documentation should other partners or organizations wish to assist with a referral.
A pediatrician at the Neonatal and Special Care Nursery Unit, Dr. Gamini Vali said the twins are under continuous monitoring and are receiving special neonatal care.
