BATU PAHAT, Oct 7 (Bernama) -- The two-year-old girl who was attacked by five stray dogs in Kampung Tambak, Peserai last month has undergone three surgeries and will have to undergo several more procedures before she can be discharged from hospital.
The victim's father, Mohammad Hamizi Hamdan, 37, said his daughter, Nur Haira Wafiqah, is currently warded at the Paediatric Special Surgery Ward of Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA), Johor Bahru, where she is under the close supervision of seven specialist doctors.
He said the first three surgeries involved treating and closing wounds on various parts of her body and head caused by the animal bites.
"The wounds on my daughter's legs, arms and body have started to heal, but the injuries to her head still require intensive treatment.
"This is Nur Haira's fourth week receiving treatment at HSA and she is scheduled to undergo another surgery on her head this week," he said.
He said this when receiving a visit from a delegation of the Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) Women's Association (Pelitawanis), Johor Batu Pahat Branch, at his home today.
Mohammad Hamizi explained that after the fourth surgery this week, the subsequent series of surgeries would focus on tissue treatment, including the removal, repair and transplantation of damaged body tissue.
The series of surgeries, which will be carried out periodically, is expected to require his daughter to remain in hospital for several more months.
"My wife, Nur Wahyuni Harun, 36, takes care of Nur Haira at the hospital, while I travel back and forth from Batu Pahat to Johor Bahru two to three times a week.
"After the first surgery, which took more than seven hours on the day of the incident, Nur Haira only regained consciousness three days later. At first, she did not recognise anyone, but, Alhamdulillah, a few days later she began recognising me and her mother," he said.
He said Nur Haira is now in stable condition, able to converse and eat normally.
However, the doctors informed the family that the child may suffer permanent impairment, including impaired hair growth on several parts of her head.
Meanwhile, Pelitawanis TNB Johor Batu Pahat Branch chairman Datin Adib Nafilah Abu Dardak said the visit was aimed at checking on the victim's latest condition and presenting a contribution to help ease the family's financial burden.
In the incident at about 7 am on Sept 5, Nur Haira sustained serious injuries to almost her entire body after being attacked by a pack of stray dogs in front of her house.
Batu Pahat District Police Chief ACP Shahrulanuar Mushaddat Abdullah Sani had earlier confirmed that the victim was rushed to Sultanah Nora Ismail Hospital (HSNI) in Batu Pahat for initial treatment before being transferred to HSA for further specialist surgery.
-- BERNAMA