Kedah hopes jellyfish sting antidote made available in Langkawi

ALOR SETAR: The Kedah government hopes that an antidote for jellyfish stings will be made available at Sultanah Maliha Hospital (HSM), Langkawi, following the tragedy that claimed the life of a two-year-old Russian toddler recently. Kedah tourism, culture and entrepreneurship committee chairman Datuk Mohd Salleh Saidin said that although the incident was considered isolated, the antidote must be made available to protect the public. "I have discussed this matter with the chairman of the Kedah Health Committee that is no antidote in this state including Langkawi…while it is available in several other places including Sabah. "So we will take this matter to the Health Ministry so that this antidote can also be placed in Langkawi, because Langkawi also has beaches like Sabah," he said when met at the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital (HSB), here Saturday (Nov 22). Earlier, he met the parents of a Russian child who was confirmed to have died from a box jellyfish sting on Wednesday (Nov 19), after being attacked by the marine life while bathing in the sea at Pantai Chenang, on Nov 15. The boy, Vladimir Iakubanets, was confirmed to have died at HSB, five days after being treated for the jellyfish attack. Mohd Salleh said he would also hold a meeting with relevant agencies on Nov 24 to discuss specifically about beach safety. "We will also involve experts to conduct additional studies on this jellyfish because the safety of all visitors is our priority," he said. According to him, although the jellyfish sting incident is an isolated case in Langkawi, the state government still views it seriously because the resort island is visited by millions of tourists every year," he said. - Bernama