PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail today brought Kelulut (Stingless Bee) Honey when she visited World No 1 badminton player Kento Momota and three others who were involved in a road accident at Maju Expressway (MEX) at the Putrajaya Hospital.
Dr Wan Azizah, who is also the Badminton Association of Malaysia patron, said Momota spoke Japanese and her conversation with him had to be translated.
“He didn't say much, but he is in good care. I told him I gave him ‘madu kelulut’ for him to get better," she told reporters after spending about 30 minutes with Momota, Badminton World Federation's Hawkeye technical officer William Thomas, physiotherapist Yu Hirayama, and assistant coach Akifumi Morimoto.
It has been reported that stingless bee honey has antioxidants that would enhance the wound healing process, and honey can also be used as an antibacterial ingredient in pharmaceutical formulations since it has antimicrobial and antiseptic properties.
The deputy prime minister also said all four were recovering and in stable condition.
Asked when Momota and the rest were expected to be discharged, Dr Wan Azizah said the medical experts were keeping them under observation.
“The doctors did not tell me (when Momota and the rest will be discharged). (But), they are discussing it," she said, adding that Momota had a nondisplaced fracture of the nasal bone and hairline fracture on the teeth.
Dr Wan Azizah said all bones would take about six weeks to heal and it would take time for the swelling to go down.
The deputy prime minister also expressed her regret about the accident on the day the four were scheduled to leave Malaysia.
“They are now stable and under the care of our capable doctors. Thomas said they have been very well taken care of.
“They were given the very best care and attention where it is needed. Thomas will do his follow-up treatment in the United Kingdom," she said.
On whether the incident would affect ties between Malaysia and Japan since Momota was aspired to secure japan's first Olympic badminton gold medal in men's singles at the Tokyo Olympics, Dr Wan Azizah said no one could foresee when an accident would happen.
“Accidents are unexpected. This is an accident. We don't wish it upon anyone even those who are not champions."
Momota, who clinched the Malaysia Masters men’s singles title on Sunday, along with the rest were in a van heading to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) when the vehicle crashed into the back of a trailer. The van driver, N.Bavan, died at the scene.
Later, Putrajaya Hospital deputy director Dr Muhd Siv Merican Abdullah said the four were unlikely to be discharged today.
"We have to monitor them. Definitely not today. One more night. He (Momota) is in good hands, don't worry,” he said.