KPJ Kuching’s annual ‘berkhatan’ involves 30 Malay and non-Malay boys
KUCHING: The mass ‘berkhatan’ (circumcision) conducted by KPJ Kuching Specialist Hospital yesterday gathered 30 boys, aged between 10 and 12.
This year, the session here took place at Klinik Waqaf An-Nur Semariang – a clinic supervised under KPJ Healthcare Bhd.
According to KPJ Kuching spokesperson, the ‘ berkhatan’ programme is the specialist hospital’s annual corporate social responsibility (CSR) activity held in conjunction with the school holidays.
The clinic charges a minimum fee for the procedure and this is meant to benefit the local community as the majority of the people should be able to obtain the service.
“The 30 boys are from various races, religions and backgrounds. Parents wishing to register their children (to undergo circumcision) only need to pay RM80 for the package,” said the spokesperson.
In a statement, KPJ Kuching Specialist Hospital general manager Nurhazimah Mahat said: “KPJ Kuching constantly promotes healthy lifestyle to the community.
“This ‘ berkhatan’ package was created because KPJ wants everyone to have clean and healthy living right from a young age.
“By undergoing circumcision, it would reduce the risk of urinary infection in young children. Parents should consider registering their children for ‘ berkhatan’ as this will benefit their children.
“This year, we have seen more non-Malays registering for the package. Hence, it shows that many people have become are aware of the importance of living a clean and healthy life.”
Nurhazimah said KPJ Kuching also hopes to continue this campaign in the future.
“Although the boys looked nervous at first, they all went home with happy faces after everything had been carried out smoothly and successfully,’ she added.