Facing the challenge of female genital mutilation

THE Valencian regional government’s health professionals reported 22 cases of female genital mutilation (FGM) in 2018.

Most were detected at primary care health centres and seven of the victims were under 16.

Social workers were also assigned to 19 cases where children were considered to be at risk owing to their family backgrounds.

“Preventing new cases and providing access to genital reconstruction are two of the challenges that we face,” said Ana Barcelo, who heads the Generalitat’s health department.

Paediatricians are being asked to flag up vulnerable girls while gynaecologists and midwives have been warned of future risk to the daughters of adult women mutilated by FGM.