At Least 50 Children Fall Ill After Free Circumcisions by Inexperienced Jamaat Supporters in Saint Martin’s Island

Staff Correspondent, Cox’s Bazar | 7 October 2026

At least 50 children have been admitted to the hospital with infections and bleeding in the two days since free circumcisions were performed on St. Martin’s Island in Teknaf. Two of them have been sent to Teknaf in critical condition. The incident has spread concern across the island.

On October 4, Al Momin Social Welfare Foundation organized a free medical service and circumcision program at St. Martin’s Vacation Resort. According to the organizers, a 14-member team led by an MBBS doctor circumcised 210 children aged between five and 15. The children were also given free medicines.

Relatives said that after the circumcision, some children experienced pain, swelling and pus at the wound site, while others started bleeding. When the condition deteriorated, they brought the children to St. Martin’s Island Hospital on Tuesday morning. Some families complained that adequate hygiene and necessary medical precautions were not followed during the circumcision. However, the specific cause of the infection and bleeding needs to be determined through medical tests.

Shahidul Islam, assistant deputy assistant medical officer of the hospital, said that 50 circumcised children came for treatment from morning to evening. He said, “Many had infections and excessive bleeding. All were given first aid. Mohammad Faisal and Ainul Islam were referred to Teknaf as their conditions were serious.”

Kabir Ahmed, a resident of the island, had his nine-year-old son Ainul Islam circumcised during the program. He said that despite giving him medicine as per the doctors’ advice, he is very worried about his son’s condition. He also doubts whether there was any problem with the treatment. He added that he is unable to go as there is no trawler to take his son to Teknaf.

St. Martin Union Parishad acting chairman Faizul Islam said the medical team circumcised 210 children free of cost. “After two days, some of the children suffered from bleeding and were treated in the hospital. We don’t know why this happened,” he said.

Enamul Haque, medical officer of Teknaf Upazila Health Complex, said the medical team had circumcised more than 200 children on the island, 50 of whom were treated for infections and bleeding. He alleged that no one on the medical team had informed them about holding a medical camp on the island.

Despite repeated attempts to contact the doctor leading the program, no response was received.

Local teacher Ayas Uddin Kajal said that more than 50 children have fallen ill with various complications, including bleeding. He commented that the issue is even more worrying as most families on the island are financially poor.

Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer SM Anik Chowdhury said he had heard that some children fell ill after circumcision and sought treatment at the hospital. “We are investigating the matter. If negligence on the part of the medical team is found, necessary action will be taken,” he said.