Circumcision A Common Practice During School Holidays

    By Hj Minor Absah

Bandar Seri Begawan - The number of children undergoing circumcision at the RIPAS hospital is increasing, as is the common practice during the school holidays.

According to the person-in-charge, Pg Hj Sahri Pg Sabtu, who has carried out circumcision for over 20 years, about 2,040 children aged between six to 12 years old registered for circumcision this year alone.

The period for circumcision during the school holidays was between November 29 and December 26, 2007. The procedure takes only about 10 to 15 minutes depending on the physical status of the child.

Pg Hj Sahri called for the cooperation from the parents to limit the nurikber of persons accompanying their boy into the operation theatre.

He said such a memo has been circulated to the local media two weeks before the school holidays, informing about the circumcision period.

Asked on the obstacles faced, he said there were instances whereby parents who registered their children have forgotten to bring their children's birth certificates.

"There were also cases where parents have made religious ceremony arrangements in advance when in fact their children's turn for circumcision has yet to be confirmed. We also carried out circumcision during non-holiday season."

One of the children interviewed, a nine-year-old Salmi Samsuddin, said he was informed of the benefits of circumcision, especially from the religious aspects. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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