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Compiled by the Government Communication and Information System Date: 06 Nov 2008 Title: EC to open private wards for botched circumcisions -------------------- By Gabi Khumalo Eastern Cape - The Department of Health will soon provide private wards in hospitals throughout the Eastern Cape Province to accommodate patients who are admitted to hospital due to botched traditional circumcisions. Health MEC Pemmy Majodina made the announcement to 4 000 residents in Lady Frere attending the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Parliamentary seating in the Chris Hani District Municipality. MEC Majodina told residents that the department wanted to separate the patients while giving dignity and upholding the customs and cultures of South Africans. "We can no longer mix the people who are coming from circumcision schools with those that have not gone to the circumcision schools in our hospitals due to certain complications," she said. Ms Majodina said the mandate of her department was to save the lives of people noting that her department could no longer afford any deaths during the circumcision period. "The young people who undergo circumcision are the future of this province and if we want to grow the economy of this province, we need to make sure that they return from the circumcision schools healthy," she said. In April, the department appealed to communities and parents in the province to report illegal initiation schools to the police and the department while ensuring that no more young boys. This follows the death of four boys after being rescued from various initiation schools in the province. Themed "Parliament Empowering Communities for Poverty Eradication", the NCOP is in Lady Frere for the week to listen to the people as part of its programme of taking parliamentary sessions to the people. Over the next few weeks hundreds of young boys throughout the Eastern Cape are expected to flock to circumcision schools to seek passage to manhood. During the seating, residents of Lady Frere and surrounding localities will discuss issues that affect their daily lives with members of parliament including ministers and MECs. The focus areas for discussions will among other things include agriculture, education, health and issues of local government. - BuaNews |
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