Botched circumcision sparks protests in Multan

Procedure was conducted by a dispenser as doctor was not present

MULTAN: Family of a one-and-a-half month-old baby boy protested against a private hospital where a dispenser cut off the child’s genitals during a botched circumcision.

The protest was staged on Masoom Shah Road and demonstrators broke the windowpanes and doors of the medical facility.

Ghulam Farid, the father of the child, said he took his son to the hospital for a circumcision. Once there, the inexperienced and ignorant staff made a mess of the procedure and cut off the child’s genitals.



“They did not tell us that the doctor was not on duty. The medics took the child and [literally] performed an experiment,” he said angrily. “My son was only one month old when I brought him to the hospital 15 days ago,” the father continued. “With every passing day, his condition is deteriorating but the doctors kept telling lies and saying he will be alright.”

Meanwhile, police reached the spot and arrested three nurses and a ward boy who were present on duty. Multan Deputy Commissioner Nadir Chatta also took note of the issue and ordered the health chief executive officer to investigate the matter.

The health department formed a team comprising Shershah Town Drug Controller Asad Ibrar, Shahrukn-e-Alam Town Drug Inspector Usman Ghanni and Shujabad Town Drug Inspector Dr Masood.

During initial investigations, it was revealed that no doctor of the hospital was present at the time of the circumcision. The team told The Express Tribune that it was a dispenser who tended to the child.

Dr Amir, supposed to be on duty at that time, was absent and a dispenser performed the botched circumcision, according to the team. Officials sealed the hospital after the allegations of the child’s family were proven in light of the inquiry.



Drug Inspector Dr Masood said the owner of the hospital was a police inspector and the medical facility was established for welfare purposes. “Further investigations are underway,” he added.

Police, meanwhile, stated that the child was later shifted to Ward No3 of Multan’s Nishtar Hospital where he was kept under observation. A doctor, requesting anonymity, said the blood supply to the genitals was blocked. He stated only a small part was still attached to the body and chances of recovery were slim as the organ was completely mutilated.

At the same time, police said a case has been registered against Dr Amir at the Shahrukn-e-Alam police station and he would be arrested soon. The family of the affected child demanded strict action against the doctor and hospital administration.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 1^st, 2017.