Christian organisation in mass circumcision drive

Mombasa, Kenya - Over 500 boys underwent a mass circumcision on Saturday morning in Mombasa, in a large-scale operation sponsored by a Christian organisation.

 

This was the largest mass circumcision in recent history in the area where most boys are forced to undergo the cultural practice rather than a religious one.

A church building housing the Choice Chapel Ministry in Majaoni, Kisauni constituency was turned into a temporary operating room as medical experts from Doctors Worldwide performed the exercise.

An official of the church, Reverend Bernard Baya, said that Bamburi Ward Rep Riziki Fundi had initiated dialogue with Doctors Worldwide who conducted the free medical camp for two days over the weekend.

“On Labour Day, a total of 200 boys underwent the cut and over the weekend, a further 300 boys were attended to,” Rev Baya said.

He added that a number of parents who brought children to the free medical camp are from poor backgrounds and cannot meet the required fees in hospitals. A Government hospital charges Sh800 for the cut.

Boys were accompanied by their parents, mostly mothers.

ALISKLAMP PROCEDURE

A nurse who was one of the medical workers conducting the exercise, Mr Kitheka Nyamai, said they were deploying the Alisklamp procedure to perform the procedure.

Alisklamp is the new generation circumcision with clamp device in use. No more open wounds, no bleeding, no stitches and sticky bandages.

“There are no risks here of hepatitis B/C and even HIV. The patient takes a much shorter period, utmost one week to heal completely,” Nyamai said.

Single mother, Fatma Rama said: “I took them for circumcision after realising I would not meet hospital costs.’’