S. Africa: Bhisho team ‘traumatised’ by botched circumcisions

Article here. Excerpt:

'TRAUMATISED Bhisho officials believe that showing traditional surgeons the results of botched circumcisions may help prevent deaths among initiates.

The province’s health standing committee, led by ANC provincial Legislature member Mxolisi Dimaza, visited Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital and Mthatha General Hospital where injured initiates are being treated.

“I have never seen anything like this in my whole life … It was a bad sight indeed … gruesome. I did not sleep the whole night, but (stayed up) sobbing. We were really traumatised,” said Dimaza.

The multi-party committee embarked on the tour to find solutions following the deaths of 53 initiates this season.

Thirteen others suffered penile amputations, and about 40 young men are still being treated at the two hospitals.

“Apparently, some were taken very late to hospital and now doctors cannot do anything to help them. Their manhood is just falling off,” Dimaza said.'