DOH to probe death of boy after circumcision –Vergeire

The Department of Health (DOH) said Tuesday its regional office is now coordinating with local officials to investigate the death of a 13-year-old boy in Lucena, Quezon after he bled out following his circumcision.

During a media forum, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire explained that while circumcisions could be an outpatient procedure and done outside hospitals, such a death incident after circumcision was unusual.

“Unang-una, this is not a usual thing that happens, ito pong nagkakaroon ng mga ganitong insidente kapag nagkakaroon tayo nitong mga operation tuli or these medical missions,” she said.

(First of all, it is not usual to have such incidents when we conduct these circumcision operations or medical missions.)

“Kailangan nating imbestigahang maigi ito. Ito ay iniimbestigahan na sa ngayon at ang ating regional office din ng DOH nakikipag-ugnayan na sa ating local government at magkakaroon na po ng investigation regarding this matter,” she added.

(We need to investigate this thoroughly. This is currently being investigated and our regional DOH office is already in contact with the local government and will have an investigation regarding this matter.)

The victim identified as Angelo Tolentino was said to had bled to death after availing of the free circumcision in a medical mission organized by the fraternity group Scout Royal Brotherhood in Zaballero, Lucena City on March 21. He was rushed to the hospital the same day but passed away on March 22.

The police said it is also coordinating with the Public Attorney's Office for the possible filing of charges against the people who did Tolentino’s procedure.

Vergeire then reminded the public to ensure that those who perform circumcision are licensed doctors and the equipment that will be used are clean and safe to avoid infections.

Tolentino's grandfather earlier expressed doubt whether the volunteers who performed the operation were real doctors.

She also called on local government units to see to it that those who spearhead the medical missions in their areas are professionals and have the proper supplies for the said operation.

“Pinaka-appropriate also that our local governments ay maging mapanuri rin doon sa nagpapaalam sa’tin na magme-medical missions sa ating mga lugar. Makita po natin na sana these volunteers who want to help our kababayans are well-equipped para gawin nila itong mga ganitong klaseng misyon,” she added.

(It is most appropriate for local governments to be wary of those who conduct medical missions in their areas. Make sure first these volunteers who want to help our countrymen are well-equipped to do these kinds of missions.)—AOL, GMA News