SEPTICAEMIA has claimed the life of a boy from Bisho after he underwent an illegal circumcision, according to the Eastern Cape health department.
SEPTICAEMIA has claimed the life of a boy from Bisho after he underwent an illegal circumcision, according to the Eastern Cape health department.
Spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said yesterday the boy died on the way to hospital on Wednesday.
This brought the death toll in the province's winter circumcision season to 12. All the victims had been at illegal circumcision schools.
Besides the boy who died on Wednesday, two boys died from natural causes such as respiratory diseases and the rest from dehydration.
Kupelo said illegal circumcision carried three risks.
Boys risked death from a variety of medical complications, amputation of genitals due to infection or gangrene and HIV infection due to unsanitary circumcision methods.
Last week two boys lost their penises to gangrene, Kupelo said.
Traditional leaders in the areas reported a mushrooming of illegal initiation schools.
The department appealed to parents to monitor their children because it was clear the boys were determined to go into the bush or into the mountains to attend the schools without consulting parents.
"We are working with traditional leaders and the police in an attempt to stop these unnecessary deaths," Kupelo said. - Sapa
Two initiates lose their penises atillegal school
SEPTICAEMIA has claimed the life of a boy from Bisho after he underwent an illegal circumcision, according to the Eastern Cape health department.
SEPTICAEMIA has claimed the life of a boy from Bisho after he underwent an illegal circumcision, according to the Eastern Cape health department.
Spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said yesterday the boy died on the way to hospital on Wednesday.
This brought the death toll in the province's winter circumcision season to 12. All the victims had been at illegal circumcision schools.
Besides the boy who died on Wednesday, two boys died from natural causes such as respiratory diseases and the rest from dehydration.
Kupelo said illegal circumcision carried three risks.
Boys risked death from a variety of medical complications, amputation of genitals due to infection or gangrene and HIV infection due to unsanitary circumcision methods.
Last week two boys lost their penises to gangrene, Kupelo said.
Traditional leaders in the areas reported a mushrooming of illegal initiation schools.
The department appealed to parents to monitor their children because it was clear the boys were determined to go into the bush or into the mountains to attend the schools without consulting parents.
"We are working with traditional leaders and the police in an attempt to stop these unnecessary deaths," Kupelo said. - Sapa