The nine-month old boy, Oyintari, whose penis was cut off during circumcision by his grandfather, is in need of urgent help.
This ill fated incident occurred at the coastal town of Ondewari in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on February 5.
His mother, Mrs Eudora Michael, 35, cried out for help at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, where the child is on admission, stating that the boy was at risk and needs the assistance of the Bayelsa State government and well-meaning Nigerians.
She appealed to the wife of Bayelsa State governor, Dr Rachael Dickson, and kind-hearted Nigerians to assist financially, adding that her jobless husband has no means to settle the exorbitant medical bills needed to save hr baby’s life.
Mrs Michael said,
“SINCE THIS SAD INCIDENT OCCURRED, WE HAVE BEEN RUNNING AROUND TO RAISE MONEY; WE HAVE BORROWED AND ARE IN BIG DEBT. MY HUSBAND HAS GONE TO THE VILLAGE TO GATHER MONEY, BUT PEOPLE ARE NOT FORTHCOMING WITH HELP. MOTHER AND CHILD “PEOPLE WHO HAD GIVEN US LOANS ARE NOT WILLING TO GIVE US MORE, WHEN WE HAVE NOT PAID WHAT WE BORROWED. WE ARE EVEN SURVIVING AT THE MERCY OF DOCTORS, WHO ARE SPENDING THEIR OWN MONEY WHEN THEY SEE THAT WE ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE THE DRUGS THEY PRESCRIBE.”
According to medical sources, the baby may be scheduled for corrective plastic surgery to reconstruct the urinary system to enable him pass urine normally.
Meanwhile, the Police in Bayelsa, yesterday, confirmed the arrest of the 59-year-old traditional health practitioner, Mr. Ziworitin Keke, performed the ill-fated circumcision on the child. DSP Asinim Butswat, spokesman of the state Police Command, disclosed that Keke was already in custody, while investigation is ongoing.
Vanguard