S. Africa: East Cape circumcision death toll now 24

Submitted by anthony on Wed, 2009-07-01 18:03

Story here. Excerpt:

'THE death toll in the Eastern Cape’s winter circumcision season has risen to 24, the provincial health department said today.

Spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said four youths had died in the Eastern Pondoland region in the past 24 hours.

Two of them had been attending legal initiation schools, the others illegal schools.

The situation in the region had prompted local State doctors to go out in teams with police to treat youths at the schools, Kupelo said.

“They say they can’t watch these boys dying any longer. The situation is very bad in that part of the province.”
...
Circumcision-related deaths are usually as a result of septicaemia from infected wounds, or dehydration, which happens when initiates are denied water by their carers.

Eleven unregistered traditional surgeons and nurses have been arrested this season. – Sapa'

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