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Wednesday, March 17, 2010
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| AFP surgeons, MEDCAP keep rite of passage safe for local boys
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(Balikatan 2009)
Story by Cpl. Heather Golden
PAULBA BARANGAY, Ligao City, (April 25, 2009) Albay Province, Republic of the Philippines - Joel Bangate turns 14 this year. He now walks among his people as a man, thanks to a Balikatan ‘09 bilateral Philippine-United States Medical Civil Action Project (MEDCAP) here April 24.
Armed Forces of the Philippines surgeons were on hand at the MEDCAP to perform circumcisions, the traditional rite of passage into manhood, for local young men.
"It is a cultural thing in the Philippines for when they (young men) reach the age before graduating from their elementary years. It is a transition from being a boy to being a man," said Joel's father, Maunal Bangate, through an interpreter.
The boys, who are usually between 10 and 13-years-old when they decide they are ready for the procedure, are given more responsibility and freedom afterwards. There is also a change in their maturity level, the older Bangate explained.
Joel, who is from the Paulba Barangay, made his decision a month ago after his family learned about the circumcisions being offered at the MEDCAP, he said through an interpreter.
While the local medical facilities offer professional circumcisions, the number of boys accepted at the facilities per month averages at about five, Manuel explained.
It is much more common, especially in impoverished areas like Paulba, for the rite to be performed in the traditional fashion, with a local elder, a razor blade and no stiches.
The MEDCAP circumcisions were performed by professionals using sterile tools and antibiotics, something the traditional circumcisions do not feature. Luckily for Joel and other local boys, the MEDCAPs offered something else traditional circumcisions do not - an effective anesthetic.
According to Joel, the only pain he felt was the initial shot to numb the area.
"I have a lot to be thankful for," said Joel with a smile after his procedure.
Before the traditional procedures, boys take a cold bath for two hours to numb the area. During the circumcisions, boys chew guave leaves, which have a minimal amount of anesthetic properties. Afterwards, they spit the leaves on the open wound, believing this to help heal the area, said Manuel.
What usually happens is the area gets infected due to the bacteria in the saliva, said Philippine Army Capt. William Recuenco, a surgeon with the Medical Corps who oversaw the procedures at the MEDCAP.
The healing process is also slower with traditional circumcisions. The surgical procedures heal within a week, said Recuenco, from Quezon City, Republic of the Philippines. Without antibiotics, stitching or sanitization, the open wounds can take almost two weeks to close up.
"If services are not here, there is no choice but the traditional way," Manuel said. "We know the surgeries are less painful and the medicine helps with the healing process. We are very happy Balikatan is here."
There are 16 MEDCAPs scheduled between April 17 and 30 in the Albay, Masbate and Sorsogon Provinces as part of Balikatan ‘09. |
Posted on Sunday, April 26, 2009 (Archive on Sunday, May 03, 2009)
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