Doctors said Mr Seng (pictured) will face a long recovery period after his discharge - likely to be at the end of the month at the earliest - and will have to undergo months of painful rehabilitation. -- ST PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE
YIO Chu Kang MP Seng Han Thong, who was set on fire by a man on Sunday, is undergoing a second skin graft operation at the Singapore General Hopsital on Thursday morning.
Mr Seng, 59, who suffered 14 per cent burns on his arms, chest and face, received the first skin graft on his upper right arm on Monday.
His condition was reported as stable on Wednesday.
Doctors said Mr Seng will face a long recovery period after his discharge - likely to be at the end of the month at the earliest - and will have to undergo months of painful rehabilitation.
This will include weekly check-ups and therapy, and possibly reconstructive surgery to ease the movement of his arm.
Associate Professor Colin Song, head of SGH's Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, on Wednesday told reporters that grafted skin usually takes between six and 12 months to stabilise, during which the life of burns victim 'may not be business as usual'.
They also have to wear pressure garments to stop the scarring of the grafted skin from worsening.
In their first comments since the attack, Mr Seng's family on Wednesday spoke of the pain and anguish the incident has caused them.
They said they were still trying to come to terms with the reality, adding that 'the sight of our loved one, who is so full of life and now lying in great pain, unable to speak, immobilised, hooked to a respirator and an array of medical equipment is so shocking'.
