19 Nov 2017

Parliament has learnt that a total of three circumcision operations went bad (which in medical terms is called severe adverse events) out of a total of 58 191 procedures in Gaborone and South East District since the inception of the programme in 2009.

Minister of Health and Wellness, Ms Dorcus Makgato said two cases occurred in Gaborone while one case was reported in Ramotswa.

Ms Makgato said in Ramotswa a 10-year-old client had a partial laceration of the glans penis, of which the child was referred and managed by a urologist at Princess Marina Hospital.

She said the client was completely healed and has been discharged.

Minister Makgato further said a 23 year old client was operated in Block 8 clinic of which following the operation, the client experienced bleeding and was admitted at Princess Marina Hospital and was later discharged after bleeding stopped.

In another incident, she said a 29-year-old client was circumcised and later developed necrosis of the skin and was referred to Nyangagbwe Referral Hospital for skin grafting and he has since been healed and discharged.

She informed Parliament that there were no cases of permanent damage to manhood and that corrective measures including patients care and counselling were instituted to assist clients who experience adverse effects.

“None of the clients have been robbed of the livelihood as corrective measures were instituted within a reasonable time frame. Various platforms are used to educate the public about the importance of SMC in HIV prevention,” she said.

Ms Makgato said education included the details of the operation including the benefits and possible risks.

Furthermore, she said individual education and counselling was conducted before the procedure was conducted and clients make informed decision to circumcise.

Ms Makgato said any practicing doctor or nurse has to undergo further in-service training before conducting the circumcision operation as per the set training guidelines.“The Ministry of Health and Wellness keeps data base of all that are trained. There is on-going monitoring and refresher courses for those trained,” she said.

Ms Makgato was answering a parliamentary question from Ramotswa Member of Parliament, Mr Samuel Rantuana who had asked if the ministry knew how many male circumcision operations were not successful in Gaborone and South East District since inception.

He wanted to know what had been done to compensate those whose manhood had been permanently damaged by the operations and whether the minister was aware that these people had been robbed of their livelihood.

Mr Rantuana also wanted to know what had been done to sensitise Batswana about SMC and what qualifications and/or experience were required for the doctors or nurses who undertook the operations. BOPA