Turkish Medical Association Secretary General Prof. Dr. Hilmi Önder Okay criticizes cupping therapy for infants and children: 'These practices constitute abuse'

Burak DEMİRBAŞ-12punto.com.tr /EXCLUSIVE

The practice of cupping (hacamat) on infants and children continues to be a subject of debate on social media.

While many health authorities point out that the practice can cause serious health problems, an investigation into the matter has also been launched. 

Furthermore, a petition is being organized on the website Change.org under the title "Ban Cupping for Infants and Children!" 

(TMA Secretary General Prof. Dr. Hilmi Önder Okay)

We spoke with Turkish Medical Association Secretary General Prof. Dr. Hilmi Önder Okay about the practice of cupping on children and infants, and the drawbacks of "alternative medicine" and "traditional medicine" methods. 

'IT CAN HAVE FATAL CONSEQUENCES'

Stating that "it is absurd to even discuss this for infants," Okay explained whether cupping is fundamentally a healthy practice and addressed its application on infants as follows:

"Cupping is not fundamentally a healthy practice. It is a traditional medical practice, and ultimately, it is out of the question for it to be performed on infants. This is a practice with certain risks. There are infection risks; an infection that might not be very significant for adults can have fatal consequences for infants. Apart from that, a certain amount of blood is drawn. In cases of uncontrollable blood loss, even a very small amount can be very dangerous for infants."

'PEOPLE CONTINUE TO GET HEALTH INFORMATION FROM SOCIAL MEDIA'

When asked whether the trend toward "cupping" and "leech therapy" stems from problems in accessing healthcare, Okay responded as follows:

"It may have an effect. At the same time, the unhealthy spread of health-related information via social media also has an impact. During the pandemic, while vaccines, etc., were being discussed, it was not possible to discuss them in a scientific environment. These were identified with many conspiracy theories. After this process, information pollution in health emerged. Everyone became a health expert on social media. At this point, people also had financial interests. There are those who have it done, as well as those who perform it, both qualified and unqualified. The Ministry of Health prepared a traditional medicine regulation. These services are even provided in hospitals, based on meeting a certain need. Even that should be discussed and debated, but our people continue to get their health information from social media."

'HAVING IT DONE TO INFANTS IS UNACCEPTABLE'

"Conspiracy theories are circulating. Beyond all this, methods that have been traditionally applied for centuries are presented as if they were miracles. The subject has many dimensions. At the same time, it is also a situation related to health literacy. Since the health-related curriculum in our education system is insufficient, the society's deficiency also emerges. At this point, traditional medicine practices are spreading more than necessary, both through opportunists and those who truly believe in them. We see that diseases are being attempted to be treated in this way, but the infant part is completely different. If an adult who has this done wants to do it of their own free will, by giving consent, and under ideal conditions, they can do it; it is the person's free will. But for it to be done to an infant by their relatives without explaining that it is harmful is unacceptable and carries a great vital risk."

'THERE ARE MANY MEASLES CASES'

Stating that practices like cupping and leech therapy constitute abuse when applied to infants and children, Okay drew attention to infant vaccinations and said the following:

"Not having children vaccinated, not having infant vaccinations done, goes hand in hand with misinformation and conspiracy theories. This harms children; there are children we have lost to infectious diseases. There are many measles cases. This should not be overlooked. Infant vaccinations and procedures like heel prick tests are of vital importance."

PETITION LAUNCHED

Following the issue becoming a trending topic on social media, a petition was launched on the site change.org. In the campaign opened for signatures under the title "Ban Cupping for Infants and Children!", it was stated that "This situation is a form of child abuse, and there have been cases in our country in the past that resulted in death." 

News Source: Burak Demirbaş