A St. Johns Primary School pupil has been admitted to Parirenyatwa Hospital in a critical condition following a botched medical circumcision procedure at Murambinda Hospital two months ago.
His uncle, Elijah Chiruka, told Studio 7 his nephew was transported Monday night from the Manicaland Hospital after he collapsed Sunday due to severe pain in his private parts.
Chiruka said Parirenyatwa Hospital demanded $250 on Tuesday before the boy underwent an urgent operation.
He said the family had to look for money from well-wishers as the boy’s father is barely making ends meet as a vendor.
The boy’s illness comes at a time when Senator Sithembile Mlotshwa has introduced a motion in parliament seeking the end of child circumcision under Zimbabwe’s medical male circumcision programme introduced in 2009 to curb the spread of HIV.
Research indicates that circumcision reduces HIV transmission by 60 percent.
Chiruka said Munyanyi villagers in Buhera are now questioning the side effects of medical male circumcision.
Parirenyatwa Hospital officials declined to comment.