Belgian skin graft a perfect fit for Faisal Halim, road to recovery on track

KUALA LUMPUR – Selangor FC footballer Faisal Halim continues to show promising signs of recovery following a skin graft procedure performed last Thursday. 

Selangor FC board member Datuk Seri Shahril Mokhtar provided updates on Faisal’s progress after a week of treatment in the ICU of a private hospital in Shah Alam.

The initial skin transplant, targeting the abdominal area and Faisal’s left arm, was completed without complications or infections.

The skin allograft procedure, imported from Belgium at a cost exceeding RM30,000, aims to address the severe burns Faisal suffered from an acid attack.

“So far, I see Faisal’s condition improving, with the skin allograft process also considered successful without any problems.

“We will see in the next day or two how Faisal’s progress is before medical experts determine the next course of treatment,” said Shahril.

Given the current circumstances, he anticipates that Faisal may be discharged from intensive care within the next one or two weeks.

However, the Penang-born footballer is expected to undergo several additional surgeries to stabilise his condition, having suffered fourth-degree burns from the attack.

The incident on May 5 marked a sombre moment in the nation’s football history, as Faisal was targeted in an acid attack just days before the Charity Shield between Selangor and Johor Darul Ta’zim.

Following the incident and subsequent threats involving top officials of Selangor FC, the team made the difficult decision to withdraw from the match, resulting in Johor Darul Ta’zim being declared the winners. – May 13, 2024