Bagisu get tips on imbalu
Sep 15, 2010
The Bagisu have been urged to reform the cultural ritual of imbalu to make it safe for those who undergo the practice. Imbalu is a cultural circumcision ritual performed by the Bagisu to initiate young men into adulthood.
BY RAYMOND BAGUMA
The Bagisu have been urged to reform the cultural ritual of imbalu to make it safe for those who undergo the practice. Imbalu is a cultural circumcision ritual performed by the Bagisu to initiate young men into adulthood.
The health ministry recently launched a new policy that provides for the popularisation of safe male circumcision. The policy, as well as an accompanying national communication strategy, was launched by health state minister Richard Nduhuura on Tuesday at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala.
The policy guides on the implementation of quality male circumcision procedures in medical facilities. The chairperson of the national taskforce for safe male circumcision, Dr. Alex Opio, said the Government would not ban imbalu, but would meet with traditional surgeons and discuss how to promote health and safety in the practice.
“Traditional surgeons could perform the initiation ceremony, but leave the cutting of the foreskin to qualified personnel. We shall ensure they do not put herbs or use one knife on two or more people. We shall tell them to consider the option of medical circumcision,†said Opio.
The Bagisu have been urged to reform the cultural ritual of imbalu to make it safe for those who undergo the practice. Imbalu is a cultural circumcision ritual performed by the Bagisu to initiate young men into adulthood.
The health ministry recently launched a new policy that provides for the popularisation of safe male circumcision. The policy, as well as an accompanying national communication strategy, was launched by health state minister Richard Nduhuura on Tuesday at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala.
The policy guides on the implementation of quality male circumcision procedures in medical facilities. The chairperson of the national taskforce for safe male circumcision, Dr. Alex Opio, said the Government would not ban imbalu, but would meet with traditional surgeons and discuss how to promote health and safety in the practice.
“Traditional surgeons could perform the initiation ceremony, but leave the cutting of the foreskin to qualified personnel. We shall ensure they do not put herbs or use one knife on two or more people. We shall tell them to consider the option of medical circumcision,†said Opio.