Jaslinda loses nearly 10kg after days lost in jungle

TAPAH – Hiker Jaslinda Saludin, 49, who was found safe after going missing for nearly two weeks near Gunung Batu Putih, is estimated to have lost close to 10 kilogrammes (kg) during her time in the jungle.

Tapah Hospital director Dr Wan Immi Salim said the physical change in the woman was clearly visible compared to when she began her climb.

He said the hospital could not, however, confirm the exact amount of weight lost as there were no precise comparative records.

“We cannot state exactly how much weight she has lost. But as everyone can see, there is a noticeable difference between how she looked when she went hiking and when she was found.

“I would say it could be close to 10kg,” he told reporters when met at Tapah Hospital on Monday.

Also present were Perak Human Resources, Health, Indian Community Affairs and National Integration Exco Datuk A Sivanesan and Perak Communications, Multimedia and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) Exco Mohd Azlan Helmi.

Dr Wan Immi said Jaslinda, who was brought to Tapah Hospital at 9.26pm last Saturday by the Emergency Medical Rescue Service (EMRS) of the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM), was now showing very positive signs of recovery.

He said the patient was still receiving treatment in the hospital’s women’s ward, but her condition was increasingly stable and improving from day to day.

“She sustained several wounds on her body from being in the jungle for so long, as well as injuries to her leg. Her leg is in a cast, though not a full cast.

“The progress she is showing is very positive and she is also happy to be reunited with her family,” he said.

Dr Wan Immi said Jaslinda was also displaying a strong will to recover, which was helping to speed up the recovery process.

On a related development, he said the hospital expected Jaslinda to be allowed to return home within a few days, provided there were no complications or changes to her health condition.

He said examinations also found no head or brain injuries, despite the patient reporting that she had fallen several times while in the jungle.

“In the early stages of treatment, she told us she had fallen nearly five metres into a ravine, which caused her to lose her bearings.

“However, the results of the examinations and screenings conducted found no head or brain injuries, only external wounds,” he said.

On Saturday, media reported that Jaslinda was found safe in Kampung Lubuk Gaharu near Pos Musoh here.

Her discovery was relayed by the local Orang Asli community to the authorities before she was taken to Tapah Hospital for further treatment.

Earlier, Jaslinda was reported to have joined the Trans Spencer Chapman hike with 13 others and two mountain guides, setting off at 2am on May 23 via the Pos Gedung–Gunung Bah Gading–Gunung Batu Putih–Kuala Woh route.

Jaslinda and fellow hiker Mohd Hanafi Neikmad, 41, experienced health problems and fell behind the group.

She was reported to have continued on alone to the mountain summit before she was last seen by a mountain guide at 7.30am on May 24.