PNG's 7 Week - Old Conjoined Twins Airborne to Sydney This Afternoon as Case gets Critical | 4 December 2025

Papua New Guinea’s conjoined twins, Tom and Sawong, at 7-week-old have flown out of Port Moresby this afternoon to Sydney for urgent specialist treatment. This is after two months away from their home Finschaffen in Morobe Province, marking a critical turning point in their medical journey as their case gets critical.

The twins being transferred to Jackson's Airport to minutes before leaving PNG's shores.

Tom and Sawong tucked in preparing to fly to Sydney this afternoon.

The twins, who had been receiving care at Paradise Private Hospital for the past three weeks, were transferred following a sudden deterioration in Tom’s condition earlier this week. Medical teams observed increased swelling and feared further delays could put both babies at greater risk.

CEO of Manolos Aviation and Director of MAMA Foundation, Captain Jürgen Ruh, confirmed the emergency transfer saying,

“I am very pleased to report that the conjoined twins were airlifted today from Port Moresby to Sydney. Whilst the hospital in Europe accepted the twins under the Europe humanitarian Visa, inclusive of free medical care, we needed to activate an emergency flight to Australia. On Sunday, Tom deteriorated a little, including swelling of the skin. We were in the process of applying for the humanitarian visa after the hospital acceptance, and we were concerned about the time it could take. We needed to move him quickly to a facility with better resources.”

Mr. Ruh, talking to a staff at Paradise Private Hospital where the twins were for the past two weeks.

Captain Ruh also paid tribute to the local clinical team who stabilized the twins long enough for the transfer to become possible.

“The referring hospital, Paradise Private Hospital, did a great job looking after the twins during the past three weeks. A big shout out to Dr Robin Sios and his wife Janet Sios. Not only did they provide great management and clinical care, they also did the same for free.” He extended his thanks to the supportive team from St. John as well.

A specialized medevac team from the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network assisted with the transfer, and the twins are expected to undergo further imaging and assessment upon arrival before a surgical plan is finalized.

Their parents, Kevin and Fatima, have thanked the PNG public, MAMA Foundation, Manolos Aviation, and all supporters who helped them reach this critical and hopeful stage.

Parents of Tom and Sawong preparing to fly with their babies to the much needed help as case worsened.