After two years of Covid-19 restrictions, the Operation Tuli of the municipal government of La Trinidad, Benguet was held last month to cater to uncircumcised males seven years old and above.
The activity was held on June 21, 24, and 28 at the municipal gym by the Municipal Health Service Office in partnership with barangays Pico and Balili.
Medical Officer III Genevieve B. Wagang-Degay said the Operation Tuli is done yearly but was cancelled for two years because of the implementation of Covid-19 restrictions.
Aside from MHSO and barangay personnel, partner agencies such as the Benguet State University-College of Nursing, Saint Louis University-School of Medicine, Philippine College of Occupational Medicine-Baguio Benguet Chapter, medical students, doctors and nurses, and volunteers helped in the activity.
Provincial Health Office Medical Specialist I Andrew Chamson M. Bacuso stressed on the benefits of circumcision.
“It is prophylaxis against other diseases such as infection, SEI or susceptible-exposed-infective, and HPV or Human Papillomavirus. Some studies also suggest circumcision prevents benign cancer among men,” Bacuso said.
Fedila Pinong from Barangay Shilan, a mother of one of the circumcised boys, expressed her gratitude for the resumption of the activity.
“Agpasalamatak ta natuloy ta two years nga nagsardeng”, she said.
Bacuso advised parents whose children are interested to be circumcised to visit the nearest hospitals and health services offices near them. – Junel Wacnisen
