What is hijama?
Hijama is an ancient alternative medicine practice that involves a form of bloodletting. It includes the use of vacuum cups placed on pre-made incisions on the skin to remove a small volume of "stagnant" blood for the purpose of cleansing the body and improving circulation. This method has deep roots in Eastern medicine and is part of religious practice in Islam. Hijama is usually performed on the head, neck, and back.It is believed that hijama can help treat various ailments such as headaches, back pain, and hypertension.
There are numerous offers for hijama procedures available online. "The first procedure is always accompanied by dark blood, and in subsequent ones, it becomes brighter, and the condition of the head improves," claims one practitioner.
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Unlike adults, who can choose their treatment methods, young children are completely dependent on their parents' decisions.
It is unknown why the family from the Uzgen district decided to trust the health of their child to folk healers, as well as how long the manipulations with incisions on the baby's back were carried out, according to medical sources.
The child was hospitalized on January 21 in critical condition with symptoms of bleeding and post-hemorrhagic shock. His hemoglobin level was recorded at 45, while the norm is 110-120. Unfortunately, the doctors were unable to save the boy; he passed away the following morning. An investigation is currently underway by the police.
"Ignorance and superstition"
Bermet Bariktabasova, an expert in evidence-based medicine, notes that this tragic case is a predictable consequence of using methods with unproven effectiveness, especially concerning children.She emphasizes that hijama has no scientific basis and poses a 100% risk to a child's health. "Sharp instruments are used for making incisions, which in non-sterile conditions can lead to infections," she warns.
Bermet Bariktabasova also points out that bloodletting was popular in the Middle Ages when there were no other treatment methods; however, modern medicine takes risks and benefits into account. Despite this, some doctors continue to use these practices, believing they improve patient conditions. However, the question of how reasonable it is to apply such procedures to newborns remains open. This is clear violence against a child, the expert believes.
The popularity of quack healers is explained by the deep ignorance of parents, the impunity of healers, and insufficient regulation in this area.
Bermet Bariktabasova
"Children with epilepsy and mental disorders are subjected to all sorts of executions. This is not the only case where such 'treatment' methods lead to tragic consequences. Many are convinced that Allah supports such practices, but they forget that this was characteristic of the Middle Ages," adds the expert.
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"In medicine, there is no concept of 'bad blood'; everything depends on a person's lifestyle and health. In adults, bloodletting does not cause sharp changes in the body, while for newborns, even a small loss of blood can be critical. If a child is crying, it is necessary to consult a doctor rather than resort to such dangerous methods," added Bermet Bariktabasova.
Sultan Stambekov, head of the pediatric oncology department, has also encountered cases where children were subjected to incisions and other traumatic practices.
"Parents often turn to both doctors and healers. This always leads to a deterioration in health, especially in oncology, where time is of the essence. The reasons lie in ignorance and distrust of official medicine," he says.
The chief physician of the City Children's Clinical Emergency Hospital, Akylbek Mamanov, notes that in recent years, there have been no recorded cases of children being admitted with the consequences of hijama.
"I think that the level of awareness among parents is growing, as we constantly conduct educational work and urge them to consult doctors," he added.
It is also worth noting that during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kyrgyzstan, hijama was used as a treatment method. "This is not a medical practice, and now it is being practiced by people far removed from medicine," noted one member of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Who should avoid hijama
Aynary Dooronbekova, a neonatologist, notes that hijama is not included in clinical protocols in Kyrgyzstan, and there are no special medical institutions for its performance, although the practice is still widespread.She listed the indications and contraindications for hijama:
- oncological diseases;
- blood disorders, hemophilia;
- serious diseases of internal organs;
- cardiovascular problems;
- taking anticoagulants;
- deep vein thrombosis;
- mental disorders;
- pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as premature infants.
There are also diseases for which hijama may be considered:
- osteochondrosis;
- radiculitis;
- arthritis;
- hypertension;
- varicose veins of the lower extremities.
"Hijama should be a painless and safe procedure for adults," explained Aynary Dooronbekova. "For children, however, it is absolutely contraindicated. Newborns may experience discomfort and cry, and some elderly people, hearing such advice, recommend parents to perform hijama to 'correct' the situation. This is a myth! Bloodletting is categorically unsuitable for children, especially for newborns," she emphasized.
What to do?
Sultan Stambekov believes that it is necessary to counteract such practices through information dissemination via social media and conducting explanatory campaigns.Bermet Bariktabasova believes that the Ministry of Health should strictly prohibit any aggressive interventions for children by healers.
"It is necessary to prevent procedures that violate the integrity of the skin. Parents can pray and should take their children to doctors, but not put them at risk," concluded the expert.
