by Benson Agoha
The near death of a boy following a botched circumcision by a nurse has led to the conviction of a woman, but may have cumulative effects expected to strengthen the clamour against FGM in the UK.
The near death of a boy following a botched circumcision by a nurse has led to the conviction of a woman, but may have cumulative effects expected to strengthen the clamour against FGM in the UK.
According to the News shopper, the two-month-old baby who was nearly killed after a botched circumcision carried out at the baby's home in Plumstead, was saved at Accident and Emergency Section of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich.
The conviction of the Nigerian nurse, one Alhaja Taiwo Shittu, 55, for 30 weeks for causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) on an infant highlights the seriousness of a failed circumcision, when carried out by unqualified personnel or done in ill-equipped facility.
Although the accused claimed to be a qualified nurse with years of experience on circumcision both in Nigeria and in UK, it is immaterial and doubtful that any of her previous clients would come forward to verify her claims.
The story has it that Det. Sergeant Kam Sodhi for the prosecution disproves Alh. Shittu's claim to be an experienced nurse by the fact that she has no medical qualifications either as a nurse or midwife in the UK. Perhaps the saying that ''every day for the thief, but one day is for the owner of the house" may be true after all.
The story also has it that 'nurse' Shittu received a £100 for the service that went wrong, but will now spend 30 weeks (some seven and half months) behind bars. A case of 'penny-wise pound foolish.'
* Alhaja Taiwo Shittu
Although the accused claimed to be a qualified nurse with years of experience on circumcision both in Nigeria and in UK, it is immaterial and doubtful that any of her previous clients would come forward to verify her claims.
The story has it that Det. Sergeant Kam Sodhi for the prosecution disproves Alh. Shittu's claim to be an experienced nurse by the fact that she has no medical qualifications either as a nurse or midwife in the UK. Perhaps the saying that ''every day for the thief, but one day is for the owner of the house" may be true after all.
The story also has it that 'nurse' Shittu received a £100 for the service that went wrong, but will now spend 30 weeks (some seven and half months) behind bars. A case of 'penny-wise pound foolish.'
And the fact that she ignored official requests from the Police to make contact would no doubt have compounded her case, besides the medical ware and appliances found at her home. And this is a woman that must have known she would pleading guilty to GBH if taken to Court.
Whatever her reasons for ignoring the police, the deed is done and she would have to pay the price.
But this case serves to further strengthen the need for review of the call against FGM.
There is a saying that whatever is good for the goose is also good for the gander and if girls are at risk of circumcision, so are boys.
Therefore, if the law on FGM is to intensify, so should that for (male genital circumcision) MGC.
But if it must be done at all, it must be done by qualified personnel using the right equipment, under supervised circumstances that maintains high level of hygiene.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is not much different from Male Genital Circumcision (MGC).
Unless we have a duty to be more sympathetic to women simply because 'mutilation' sounds more horrifying than 'circumcision'.
Unless we have a duty to be more sympathetic to women simply because 'mutilation' sounds more horrifying than 'circumcision'.
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* Photo Credit/Source: News Shopper.
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