Nepal conjoined twin surgery become bad PR for SGH

[Apollo]

Aug 7, 2008

Nepal doc to S'pore: Finish what you started

 

Twins' doctor says Jamuna should have cranioplasty performed here

By Salma Khalik, Health Correspondent

 

A TOP Nepalese neurosurgeon has accused Singapore doctors of failing to provide after-care treatment for former conjoined twins Ganga and Jamuna Shrestha.

Dr Basant Pant, who heads the neurosurgery departments in two private Kathmandu hospitals, told The Straits Times in an interview in the Nepalese capital on Sunday: 'Have the twins been given the best care? The answer is 'no'.'

 

The girls had not received the physiotherapy and occupational therapy they needed, he said.

 

Also, he charged, Singapore doctors had broken their promise to bring the girls back to Singapore for cranioplasty, an operation to repair their skulls.

 

'This was absolutely promised by Singapore, but it has never taken place.'

 

In reference to Ganga's death from pneumonia last week, he said that, 'at the very least', Singapore owed her surviving twin that cranioplasty.

 

Reacting to his comments, Singapore General Hospital (SGH), whose doctors performed the 2001 surgery to separate the twins, said the Singapore and Nepalese medical teams had agreed that if the girls needed follow-up treatment that could be given safely in Nepal, it should be done there.

 

'SGH would supplement the local team if required,' its spokesman said.

 

SGH said its doctors and rehabilitation therapists had drawn up with Dr Pant the twins' treatment and rehabilitation plans to be carried out in Nepal, and had tracked their progress in the initial years.

 

'Unfortunately, the family did not comply with the care plan and therapy,' the spokesman said.

 

But the twins' family said things are not that simple.

 

Jamuna's physiotherapy sessions at one of Nepal's public hospitals were stopped - despite the nominal fee charged - as the family could not afford the 200 rupee (S$4.40) taxi fare.

 

It would have taken a chunk of the 8,000 rupees her mother Sandhya Shrestha earns as a teacher.

 

Taking the crowded public bus is not an option because Jamuna cannot walk and has to be carried.

 

She needs the cranioplasty for a chance at leading an independent life. The 2001 operation had left her and her sister with part of their brains unprotected by their skulls. The hole on Jamuna's head leaves her brain exposed to external pressure, which has affected her blood circulation and health.

 

Since 2001, the family has returned here once - in 2005 - to East Shore Hospital, where Dr Keith Goh, a member of the 2001 team, now practises.

 

That year, Jamuna was treated for her weak leg and Ganga had fluid drained from her head.

 

Referring to Jamuna's possible return here soon, SGH said: 'Should the family decide to seek treatment for Jamuna at SGH subsequently, we will work in consultation with the Nepalese medical team on the appropriate treatment.'

 

Madam Sandhya, still reeling from the loss of Ganga, wants Jamuna's operation done here. It is what she feels will give the girl the best chance.

 

SGH is the custodian of the $58,000 that is left of the $660,000 raised in 2001 for the twins' medical expenses. It will release funds only for 'appropriate' treatment for Jamuna.

 

It reimbursed Bir Hospital in Kathmandu in May 2004 for Ganga's scans, and East Shore Hospital in 2005.

 

Dr Pant, who does about 400 operations on brains and spines each year, said cranioplasty can be done in Nepal, but that Singapore should finish what it started.

 

Noting that the people here gave so generously in 2001 because they felt for the family and wanted to do the best by them, he said: 'This has not been done. Singapore started the show, so it should finish it.'

 

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[Sfhuang]

Ungrateful lor.

[Slowmo]

i think the problem has to do with SGH still holding on to money that could be used for the transport.just speculating that the family might think that the money is for them to use and sgh did not release it appropriately.

 

money matters very sensitive.. esp when it comes to donations... many definitions of 'appropriateness'