BY LEONARD T. PINEDA I
ILOILO City – Summer is circumcision time in the Philippines but the Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas advised young boys to be psychologically ready should they decide to undergo this rite of passage into manhood.
Dr. Elvie Villalobos, DOH Region 6 infectious disease cluster head, said Filipino culture makes circumcision a part of every boy’s life.
“Circumcision can cause teenagers to feel extreme pain, bleeding, discomfort, and for others this may become a traumatic experience. The one being circumcised should be cooperative, mature enough and psychologically ready,” said Villalobos.
What is the ideal age range for this procedure?
Villalobos said it is between 10 to 16 years old, but can also be done to male adults.
The reason for circumcision includes personal hygiene aside from its socio-cultural significance, said Villalobos.
“Circumcision can also reduce the risk of getting urinary tract infection for men and cervical cancer for their female partners,” he added.
NO TO ‘PALPAG’
The DOH official also said the Health department is advising against the traditional method done by a manugpalpag for circumcision.
A manugpalpag is a village person who performs the traditional method of circumcision using a knife and a piece of wood.
This person commonly does not have medical training to do the procedure, said Villalobos.
Boys who undergo this method are just given guava leaves to chew on to help them bear the pain as their foreskins are cut.
Villalobos said the traditional method lacks standard operating procedures, unlike circumcision performed by doctors who follow certain surgical protocols.
Boys may suffer from complications from the traditional palpag method such as profuse bleeding which may lead to hemorrhage.
“The knife or other instruments used may not be sterilized so these may cause tetanus or other infections,” Villalobos warned. (PIA-Iloilo/PN)
