EASTERN CAPE: Diet a factor in circumcison deaths

ENCA (South Africa)
January 8, 2014

Diet a factor in initiation school deaths

BHISHO - More than 500 boys have died at initiation schools in the Eastern Cape since 2006.
The Provincial Health Department says mainly due to dehydration and hypotension. [low blood pressure]

It says poor diet in the days following the circumcision also played a factor.

The first seven days after a boy has been circumcised are the most crucial, intense care and caution is needed as this could mean life or death.

The elders say the initiates have to follow a strict and special diet during umaluko (initiation).

Since the start of December, 35 boys have died in initiation schools in the Eastern Cape.

Earlier story