EXCLUSIVE: Coroner's warning over lack of regulations after baby boy dies within days of circumcision

A CORONER is calling for a review of the UK's lack of regulation of non-medical circumcisions after a baby boy died within days of one being performed by someone who had been "recommended" to his parents.

Mohamed Abdisamad died on February 19 2023 just seven days after his parents arranged for him to be circumcised by the circumciser they obtained details of through word of mouth, West London Coroners' Court heard.

He is the latest in a number of boys to be killed or seriously injured following the procedure which is often carried out by non medics on tables in people's homes, yet the Government has still to bring forward any form of oversight.

Now Coroner Dr Anton Van Dellen has warned more children could die as he called for a review into the lack of regulation of circumcisers.

It comes amid growing concerns over non medical circumcisions and after it was revealed yesterday that at least 41 young men died as a result of circumcision procedures as part of traditional initiation activities in South Africa in November and December alone.

In the UK, there is no legal requirement that circumcisers be medically trained, and non-medical circumcisers are entirely unregulated.

In a Prevention of Future Deaths report sent to Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Steve Reed, the Secretary of State for housing, planning, and local government, this week, MorningDr Van Dellen warned of the total lack of oversight of the industry which is concerned with significant body changes of young boys and infants.

He wrote: "Mohamed Abdisamad underwent a Non-Therapeutic Male Circumcision (NTMC) by a circumciser who was recommended to Mohamed’s parents and requested by them to perform the procedure on their son."

It did not specifically state in the report if the circumciser was medically trained, but he added: "During the inquest, the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken.

"Any individual may conduct a non-therapeutic male circumcision without any prior training or any continuing professional development. "There is no system of external accreditation and/or registration for individuals who conduct (the procedures).

There is no requirement for any record keeping for individuals who undergo one nor any system for consent to be taken prior to the procedure, he said.

He added: "There is no requirement for any infection control measures for a Non-Therapeutic Male Circumcisions (NTMC).

There are no requirements for any aftercare for a Non-Therapeutic Male Circumcisions (NTMC), including but not limited to dressing the wound, analgesia and/or worsening care advice.

"In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths."

Mohamed underwent the procedure on February 12 2023 and the wound initially appeared to be healing well.

However, three to four days following the procedure, symptoms of illness began.

By February 19, Mohamed’s mother contacted the emergency services due to concerns about his deteriorating condition.

Dr Van Dellen added: "Upon presentation to the paramedic, a decision was made to transport Mohamed to Hillingdon Hospital by an ambulance and, during the journey, Mohamed had a cardiorespiratory arrest.

"Despite the resuscitation efforts by the paramedics and hospital staff, Mohamed was declared dead at 11:55pm on February 19 2023."

After an inquest which concluded in October, the conclusion of a jury was that he died as a result of complications following Non-Therapeutic Male Circumcision, with the medical cause of death given as 1a Invasive Streptococcus pyogenes infection following male circumcision.

Both secretaries of state, who have 56 days to respond.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "Our deepest sympathies are with the family of Mohamed Abdisamad - we take all prevention of future deaths reports seriously and will respond in due course.

"The safety of children is of paramount importance to this Government, and we keep all areas of policy under review."