Baby attacked by monitor lizard recovering

Nur Hidayah Abdul Rahman, the eight-month old baby girl, who was attacked by a monitor lizard at a resort in Kampung Tekek, Tioman, Pahang on Tuesday, is showing signs of recovery.

Sultanah Aminah Hospital's Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery Medical Officer, Dr Low Tzuen Ling said Nur Hidayah, who was given 150 stitches for deep scratches, was expected to be discharged soon.

"But she must undergo follow up treatment to treat the scars. We are monitoring the healing process. The stitches are expected to be removed in a week. Nur Hidayah is stable but we are observing her for infection," he said here, today.

Earlier, he accompanied State Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Asiah Md Ariff who visited the baby at the Children's Ward.

Dr Low said it might be difficult for the scars on Nur Hidayah's face to disappear, but follow up treatment would be given to the baby to minimise them.

Although shocked by Nur Hidayah's condition when she arrived, he had ensured that all treatment procedures on the baby were meticulously carried out.

Asiah said a counsellor would be assigned to help Nur Hidayah's mother, Nor Raudah Abdullah, 38, who was trumatised by the incident.

She also handed over a contribution to Nor Raudah.

Nur Hidayah's father, Abdul Rahim Ismail, 38, said the monitor lizard was a normal around the resort but he did not expect the animal to enter their home.

Abdul Rahim, a maintenance worker at the resort said resort was landscaped and very tidy.

"I felt like dying when I heard about the incident and rushed to the Health Clinic to check on my daughter," said Abdul Rahim.

Meanwhile in ROMPIN, Pahang, Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board deputy chairman Datuk Maznah Mazlan urged the Wildlife and National Park Department to look into the problem to prevent a repeat.

She said a guideline was needed for local residents and tourists on the security aspect from the department when dealing with the animal in future.

"The incident was worrying because the attack took place inside a house and not in the animal's habitat or jungle," she told reporters after a function.