WATERFORD regional hospital, where a one-month-old baby died after a botched home circumcision, is to offer the medical procedure on a monthly basis, writes Dearbhail McDonald.

The service will accommodate requests by asylum seekers, Muslims and Jews who want week-old male infants to be circumcised for cultural, ritual and religious reasons.

Last year Callis Osaghae, a 29-day-old baby who was circumcised at his parents’ home, was rushed to the hospital bleeding heavily after an operation was carried out with a razor blade. He died the following day.

Osagie Igbinedion, a Nigerian national, is charged with intentionally or recklessly engaging in conduct that created a serious risk of death or harm to the baby.

“Rarely are there medical conditions which require circumcision in childhood or later,” said Dr Neville de Souza, a public health specialist who has pioneered the new service in the South Eastern Health Board. “However, we have a responsibility for children in our care. If we do not provide a safe service, it will be sought elsewhere in unsafe conditions, that puts the lives of children at risk.”

Micheal Martin, the minister for health, has appointed an advisory committee on child circumcision that has not yet met.

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