Operation Tuli not allowed yet in Cebu City — EOC
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Operation Tuli or free circumcision drives will not be allowed yet this summer in Cebu City.
The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has received requests from organizations and the medical community to hold this community program in the barangays.
However, Councilor Joel Garganera, the EOC deputy chief implementor, said that these kinds of operations are discouraged because circumcision of boys would naturally lead them to scream risking the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
If the programs are done with a crowd, this could also be a violation of the no public gathering mandate for Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) areas.
“Dili man na essential ang tuli so dili lang sa ta ron. Anyway, gamay nalang nga hulat. Things are going well and the vaccines have arrived. We will eventually get back to normal,” said Garganera.
He discouraged groups to hold Operation Tuli programs in the barangays for now, but the EOC will give exemptions for those willing to hold the program in a hospital setting.
Garganera said that if they can take the program to the hospitals where protocols are better observed, then the EOC may consider their request.
However, if the organizers cannot assure that there will be no crowding of young male children and their parents in the area, then the EOC will have to decline.
The councilor understands that circumcision is an integral part of the Filipino cultural upbringing of male children, but he said that since this is not a medical necessity or emergency, it will have to wait.
After all, the male children can wait another year if it means keeping them safe.
The EOC also discourages private clinics to conduct circumcisions in the meantime unless a strict health protocol is set in place.
Problems such as these are arising with the medical community as well, as many dental organizations are used to offering free dental check-ups, cleanings, and outreach programs at this time of the year.
Garganera said that unless it is a dental emergency or medical procedure, certain dental services should be avoided to be done in publicly organized drives.
Cleanings, check-ups, and other services that are not for treatment must remain inside the dental clinics for safety.
The councilor apologizes to the groups who want to help their fellowmen through these types of drives and assured them that once the pandemic has settled down, they can organize such activities again. /rcg
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