Department of Health to penitents: Stop self-flagellation
“There are other forms of sacrifices (this Lent),” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III told reporters on the sidelines of his visit to the emergency room of the UST Hospital to check its preparedness for Dengvaxia-vaccinated patients. Philstar.com/File Photo
MANILA, Philippines — Penitents should stop their practice of self-flagellation during Holy Week, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said yesterday.
Duque said flagellation could affect the health and welfare of penitents.
“There are other forms of sacrifices (this Lent),” he told reporters on the sidelines of his visit to the emergency room of the UST Hospital to check its preparedness for Dengvaxia-vaccinated patients.
Duque said flagellation could lead to tetanus, which could be fatal.
“Even if the whips were cleaned or sterilized, there is no guarantee they would not cause infection. We hope they will stop doing it,” he said.
If it cannot be helped, Duque said penitents should get anti-tetanus shots, which are available at health centers, to protect themselves against infection.
Duque said tetanus occurs when Clostridium tetani pathogens enter the body through wounds or breaches in the skin. Some of the symptoms are muscle spasm, particularly in the face and neck, difficulty in swallowing or breathing, fever and locked jaw.
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