The infants, Di Cecea and Jesipeli Kikau, were ultimately accepted for fully funded humanitarian surgery in Saudi Arabia after eight months of international appeals by local pediatric doctors.
High Costs and Research Barriers Met Family in Suva
Born prematurely alongside their triplet sister Hossana at Suva’s Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Di Cecea and Jesipeli marked the first case of conjoined twins in Fiji in 20 years, according to their mother, Akenata Vulimaiigiladi. Dr. Ilisapeci Tuibeqa, part of the medical team that cared for the twins, told RNZ Pacific that local doctors spent eight months approaching multiple nations for help.
“We approached Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United States, but they wanted US$1 million upfront to perform the surgery,” Dr. Tuibeqa said. She noted that several countries approached by the team were solely interested in performing the procedure for research purposes. Medical staff also contacted Australia and New Zealand. According to Dr. Tuibeqa, Australia declined to offer humanitarian support for the family—despite Sydney Children’s Hospital having agreed to operate on conjoined twin boys from Papua New Guinea—while New Zealand doctors stated they were unable to assist due to the surgical complexity and the need for a multi-disciplinary team.
Saudi Government Funds Treatment and Travel
Relief came when the Saudi Arabian government offered to fund the entire trip and procedure on humanitarian grounds, covering airfares and accommodation for the triplets and their parents. The family departed Nadi International Airport bound for Riyadh via Hong Kong and Doha. Fiji’s government funded a pediatric registrar to accompany the family and coordinate with doctors at King Salman Hospital in Riyadh, where medical imaging and reports shared from when the twins were two to three months old will undergo a final review before setting an operation date.
Did you know?
Di Cecea and Jesipeli are fused below the sternum down to the pelvis. While they share a bladder, colon, part of the intestine, two kidneys, one anus, and one set of female genitalia, they have independent hearts, lungs, stomachs, and four legs.
Prognosis and Regional Context
Dr. Tuibeqa expressed optimism regarding the separation outcome, noting that the girls do not share vital organs and that surgical separations below the chest generally carry favorable outcomes. However, medical staff cautioned the family that potential risks include saving one twin while losing the other.
This marks the second conjoined twin case in the Pacific region within a year. In October, brothers Sawong and Tom Kevin were born in Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea, and underwent emergency separation at Sydney Children’s Hospital last December, resulting in the survival of Sawong. In June 2004, Fiji recorded its first live birth of conjoined twins—twin girls of Indian descent sharing a heart and liver who tragically died of cardiac complications in Suva before planned transport to Royal Melbourne Children’s Hospital could occur.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did countries decline to perform the surgery for free?
According to Dr. Ilisapeci Tuibeqa, several nations demanded US$1 million upfront, while others expressed interest in the complex case strictly for research purposes rather than patient care.
Where is the separation surgery taking place?
The surgery is scheduled to take place at King Salman Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with all travel, accommodation, and medical expenses covered by the Saudi government.
What anatomy do the twins share?
Di Cecea and Jesipeli share a bladder, colon, parts of the intestine, two kidneys instead of four, one anus, and a single set of female genitalia, but possess separate hearts, lungs, stomachs, and four individual legs.
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