The trial has opened for a London hospital doctor accused of carrying out female genital mutilation (FGM) on a young woman immediately following the birth of the woman’s first child.  A second man is also charged, accused of encouraging the doctor.

(Note: Extremely graphic content may be unsuitable for more sensitive readers)

FGM is illegal in the UK.  It’s the extremely loathsome practice of the partial or total removal of the external female genital organs for cultural or other non-medical reasons.  It’s practiced in 29 countries in Africa and some in Asia and the Middle East as well. 

The 24-year old mother in London is identified only as “AB” in court papers to protect her privacy.  She underwent what called a type 3 FGM – in which part of the labia are sewn together – when she was just 6-years old in Somalia.  Before delivering her child, she told midwives that it had been reversed in 2011.

32-year old Dr. Dhanuson Dharmasena, a junior registrar in obstetrics and gynecology at London’s Whittington hospital, is accused effectively redoing it in restitching her following childbirth.  Despite being warned by a midwife that what he did was illegal, he consulted with a more senior doctor who advised Dharmasena to leave the new stitch in place.

In his notes on the case, Dharmasena wrote, “Had discussion with consultant post delivery.  In hindsight should not have closed stitches.  Decision made not to reopen sutures.”

41-year old Hasan Mohamed was supposed to be translating for “AB”, and is accused of aiding and abetting because he told the doctor that the patient wanted the illegal procedure. 

“It is that stitching back together by Dr. Dharmasena, and Mr. Mohamed’s insistence or encouragement, which the prosecution says is an offence under the act," said prosecutor Kate Bex, who also told the court that Dharmasena is expected to have known his actions were actions violated hospital rules.

“The.. published policy is that the cut edges should not be stitched back together and that they should be over-sewn with absorbable stitches so that they heal apart,” she said.

Dharmasena insists he is innocent, and the trial continues this week.