A seven-year-old boy is recovering after undergoing emergency surgery at Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital (LMUTH) following a serious genital injury sustained during an attempt to circumcise himself.
The child was rushed to the hospital, where the Urology team assessed his condition before performing emergency surgery.
According to hospital officials, the operation was successful and the boy is now in a stable condition.
LMUTH said the child’s mother informed medical staff that her son had on several occasions expressed a desire to be circumcised, but the procedure had not been arranged before the incident occurred.
The hospital said the case underscores the importance of parents and guardians engaging children in open, age-appropriate discussions about their health and responding to concerns before they result in preventable harm.
Medical experts explained that as children grow and interact with their peers, they naturally become curious about their bodies and may notice physical differences. They cautioned that without proper guidance, such curiosity can lead to unsafe decisions.
LMUTH has encouraged parents to seek advice from qualified healthcare professionals whenever children ask questions about circumcision or other health-related matters, rather than delaying the discussion or procedure where appropriate.
The hospital also reminded the public that male circumcision is a safe medical procedure when performed by trained healthcare professionals in a recognised health facility.
It further cautioned against relying on information from peers or unverified online sources, saying misinformation can expose children to unnecessary health risks.
Hospital management reaffirmed its commitment to providing specialised healthcare services while continuing to promote child safety and preventive health practices through public awareness.
The emergency surgery was performed by Dr B. Chungu, Dr C.K. Lupinda and Dr Mbewe, with anaesthetic support provided by Sr. Mr North and Bernadette serving as the scrub nurse.
The hospital has wished the young patient a full recovery and commended the medical team for its prompt intervention and coordinated care.
