Surgery for conjoined twins Nima and Dawa postponed by Royal Children’s Hospital

CONJOINED twins Nima and Dawa Pelden will have to wait longer for their shot at separation after Royal Children's Hospital specialists were forced to delay surgery over health concerns.

Nima and Dawa’s operation has been postponed. Picture: Alex Coppel

SURGERY to separate conjoined Bhutanese twins Nima and Dawa Pelden has been postponed over concerns about one of the sister’s health.

A team of more than 30 Royal Children’s Hospital specialists were planning to separate the 14-month-old sisters tomorrow, however tests late last night indicated a decline in Dawa’s health.

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While there are no major fears for the twins’ wellbeing, specialists decided to delay surgery and allow Dawa further time to build strength for what is expected to be a very demanding operation.

The Royal Children’s Hospital said it will give the girls additional nutrition support in the lead up to the surgery.

Dawa and Nima with their mum Bhumchu. Picture: Alex Coppel

“The multidisciplinary team overseeing their care have closely monitored the girls’ progress since their arrival and, while they have responded very well to treatment, the team has determined an additional period of nutrition support would put them in optimal health prior to their life-changing surgery,” the hospital said in a statement.

“Surgery is likely within the coming weeks and the girls will stay at the Children First Foundation retreat while receiving continued clinical oversight by the RCH.”

Surgery is expected to be delayed for at least a fortnight, which will allow Dawa to overcome an ailment which she may have suffered during the marathon travel from Bhutan to Melbourne last week.

As they do not require intensive medical interventions to improve their health Nima and Dawa will be discharged from the RCH to Children First Foundation’s Miracle Smiles retreat.

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