DOH discourages use of  traditional ‘de-pukpok’ circumcisions

The Health Department on Tuesdays said they discouraged the use of the traditional “de-pukpok” circumcision given the health and safety risks.

“What is important is it's done by medical personnel. Wag 'yung pinupukpok or 'yung sa ilog lang,” Health Secretary Janette Garin had said on GMA 7 news program “24 Oras”.



According to Dr. Sunshine Heraña of the Tangkawayan District Hospital, the tradition was still popular in their Quezon province town despite the Health Department's warnings.

“Nagpo-pose tayo diyan ng risk ng infection. Worst cases 'yung tetanus, na tinatawag, at of course bleeding. Hindi rin sila nabibigyan ng tamang gamot like pain relievers or antibiotics,” Heraña explained.

Meanwhile, Mang Darwin, who performs the traditional circumcisions in Tagkawayan, was a staunch defender of the tradition.

Mang Darwin explained that he still used the “lukaw”, a traditional tool essential to the circumcision. “Dito pinapasok yung ari ng lalaki para siya ay matulian. Naglalagay tayo na alcohol sa kutsilyo tsaka sa lukaw tapos 'yung kamay huhugasan ng alcohol,” he said.

He added that he has been performing traditional circumcisions for over 15 years, especially during the summer seasons.

Meanwhile, a non-government organization in Dagupan City offered circumcisions performed by medical professionals to ensure that the procedure was done safely. — Andrei Medina/DVM, GMA News