New details in the Kayseri circumcision scandal: 'I felt grateful after watching the incident'

The site of the scandal that has gripped Turkey was Kayseri. On July 18, father Y.B. took his 7-year-old son, F.E.B., who was entering the second grade of primary school, to a health clinic to have him circumcised. The health officer working there, Hüdai Çeliker, demanded 3,500 Turkish Lira for the operation.

(Hüdai Çeliker)

After agreeing on the price, the circumcision was performed at the health clinic, despite a ban by the Ministry of Health. It is alleged that health officer Hüdai Çeliker sent the child home, even though he should have been monitored for 24 hours following the procedure. However, the young boy's penis, which developed gangrene due to the illegal circumcision, had to be amputated.

'HE RIPPED OFF THE BANDAGE WHILE HE WAS SCREAMING'

According to a report by Ali Altuntaş from Sabah, the father, Y.B., described the events: "The bandage applied was supposed to be removed after 24 hours. Since we didn't know, we didn't remove it. That's why swelling and bruising occurred. Three days later, when we reached the health officer, he said, 'Sit the child in water and remove the bandage. Nothing will happen. The swelling is normal.' However, because the bandage was tied too tightly, we couldn't remove one part of it. While I was at work, my sister came to the house, noticed the bruising, and took him to the health clinic. The health officer, H.Ç., ripped the bandage off my son while he was screaming. Afterward, my son became even more uncomfortable, and the bruising increased. I took him back to the health clinic in the morning. He again claimed that there was nothing wrong with the child, that he was just being fussy, and told me, 'Leave him at home and go to work.' He had scared my son by saying, 'Don't tell your father anything, or I will cut it off at the root.'"

FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE IN INTENSIVE CARE

Stating that his son underwent three operations due to the illegal circumcision, father Y.B. continued: "He had scared my son. I said, 'I am going to a pediatrician, and I will report you.' Upon this, he sent us in a car to a doctor he had arranged himself. When we were about to enter the hospital, he called on the phone and said, 'If the police ask who performed the circumcision, say you had it done by someone passing by on the street.' At the hospital, it was determined that my son's penis had developed gangrene, and it was amputated during surgery. He has undergone 3 operations. He has been in intensive care for days. His life is still in danger. The Ministry of Health has banned circumcisions outside of hospitals. I learned this later. H.Ç., who performed this circumcision despite the ban, has darkened my son's future. I will pursue every legal avenue."

HE HAD PREVIOUSLY FACED 2 INVESTIGATIONS

Meanwhile, it was learned that health officer Hüdai Çeliker had previously been the subject of two complaints regarding other circumcisions he performed, leading to administrative investigations. The Ministry of Health had banned circumcisions in private health clinics with a circular issued in 2015.

TESTIMONIES IN COURT REVEALED

Hüdai Çeliker and the operators of the health clinic, Safiye D. and Selçuk T., were referred to the courthouse following their police processing. Appearing before the Criminal Judgeship of Peace, health officer Hüdai Çeliker claimed that he did not perform the circumcision himself, but that the clinic operator Safiye D. did, and that he was only present to instruct her on how to perform the procedure.

'HE DID NOT PAY ATTENTION TO THE DRESSING'

Safiye D., however, stated, "Hüdai Çeliker performed the circumcision. He did not pay attention to the dressing. After the circumcision, he wrapped it with an adhesive elastic bandage. He then sent the family home and did not follow up on the process." While Hüdai Çeliker and the owner of the private health clinic, Safiye D., were arrested and sent to prison, Selçuk T. was released under judicial control. It also emerged that Hüdai Çeliker had been investigated five years ago for performing illegal circumcisions outside the hospital using materials from the Develi State Hospital.

'WE HAD THIS MAN CIRCUMCISE OUR SON 5 YEARS AGO'

Meanwhile, following the incident that dominated social media, families who had previously had their children circumcised by Hüdai Çeliker also shared their experiences. Kübra Hülya Uyanık said, "We had our son circumcised by this man 5 years ago. He was working at the hospital in Develi. Because my son was young, he said, 'I cannot give him anesthesia at the hospital, but I can perform the circumcision outside.' He came to our house and performed the circumcision. I felt grateful after watching the incident on the news." Another social media user commented, "This is not new; 4 years ago, this person was performing circumcisions in villages with a cleaning staff member accompanying him. I witnessed it."

News Source: 12punto