North woman wants answers on son’s botched circumcision
A north mother was shocked to learn that her 10-year-old son’s penis foreskin was not the only thing that was removed.
A Ga-Rankuwa mother wants answers from a local clinic on how her son’s penis was “skinned” when the boy underwent circumcision.
Mmabatho (not her real name, which is being withheld to protect the boy’s identity) of zone 16, sent her 10-year-old son for circumcision on 8 May, a procedure she said the local clinic had booked for him.
Mmabatho said she had done her booking through the Phedisong clinic in Ga-Rankuwa, zone 4 and was referred to a local doctor the clinic said they worked with.
“When I made my booking, I was told the clinic itself doesn’t have the capacity but works with local doctors for circumcisions,” she said.
“I was not in a position to dispute that. I did my booking and I was given a date.”
On the day before the procedure, Mmabatho said the clinic did mandatory HIV tests which she would take with to the local doctor.
She said she was given consent forms to sign for approval of the tests as her son was a minor.
“After that, I was told where to wait for a vehicle that would escort us to the doctor.
“I was with other parents who had also brought their children. We boarded the vehicle and were dropped off at a house in Mabopane.
“The procedure was done and we were advised to remove the dressing after two days.”
It was when Mmabatho took her son’s bandage off after two days that she got the shock of her life.
She discovered that more than the foreskin of her son’s penis was removed.
“They skinned my son’s penis. The skin on his glans was also removed and they stitched what was left on the wound.
“I knew something was wrong because I have two other sons, they have been circumcised before and this was not how it looked. They injured my son, they skinned his penis.
“He was also bleeding and swollen.”
Mmabatho said she notified the clinic, brought pictures to show them along with her son who was in pain.
She said the clinic distanced themselves from the matter and referred her back to the same doctor.
“How do I take my son back to the same doctor that caused damage?
“I asked that they at least give me a letter to go to the local hospital for a urologist to have a look at him. They refused. They said they couldn’t assist me.
“They suddenly could not do anything for me when they were the ones that referred me and other parents to that doctors. I was so frustrated and I am still worried.”
The single mother of three said her biggest fear was that long-term damage would be caused to her son’s penis and he might not be able to lead a normal life.
Mmabatho said her son was in constant pain and struggled to walk.
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“He is struggling to walk; he has to put his hands in his pants so the material does not touch the penis. We have sleepless nights where he is complaining of pain,” she said.
“I don’t know how intense the damage is and if my son’s penis will be able to function normally. I just need help for him, soon.”
Mmabatho said her suspicion was that the doctor was not trained to handle circumcisions, but wondered how he or she managed to work with the local clinic.
She said the doctor’s surgery was at a house with no branding or name.
“I didn’t make much of it because it is quite common for houses to be turned into doctor’s rooms in our townships,” she said.
“But after I saw what I saw, I am not sure if the doctor knew what he or she was doing.
“And I don’t know how he or she managed to work with the local clinic. We rely on the local clinics and hospitals with our lives.”
Mmabatho said the local hospital had arranged for her son to see a urologist after she pleaded for assistance.
While her son waits to be assessed by a specialist, Mmabatho said she was desperate for answers on how this could have happened at a government clinic.
She said she was looking to get advice on what recourse she has, but would first focus on her son’s recovery.
Gauteng health spokesperson Kwara Kekana said the department was aware of the incident and was investigating.
“The team is still investigating the matter,” said Kekana.
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