At least 50 children have developed infections after undergoing circumcision at a free mass campaign on St Martin’s Island in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar.
Relatives took the children to Saint Martin’s Island Hospital on Tuesday.
Hospital sources said the 50 children had already received treatment. Two children were referred to Teknaf Upazila Health Complex for further treatment.
The free healthcare and circumcision campaign was held on 4 October at Abakash Saint Martin Resort and organised by the voluntary organisation Al Momin Samaj Kalyan Foundation. A total of 210 children aged between 5 and 15 were circumcised and provided with free post-procedure medication.
According to the organisers, a 14-member medical team led by an MBBS doctor conducted the programme. However, three days later, many of the children developed severe infections and bleeding at the circumcision sites.
Enamul Haq, medical officer at Teknaf Upazila Health Complex, said he had received reports that more than 200 children had been circumcised on the island and that many later sought treatment at the hospital.
He said two children were admitted to the hospital in critical condition.
Enamul alleged that the upazila health department had not been informed about the medical camp beforehand.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) SM Anik Chowdhury said the local administration was investigating the incident. Necessary action would be taken if evidence of negligence by the medical team was found, he added.
Authorities said the cause of the complications would be known after the investigation.
