Medical expert Dr Thomas Ankamah has warned that the widespread, unprescribed use of enema syringes, locally known as 'bentua' by parents, particularly in African households, poses serious health risks to children, including potentially life-threatening injuries.
Speaking on the Health and Life with Dr Daly Show, Dr Ankamah called out the traditional practice, still common in many homes, where enemas are used to treat constipation or other symptoms without medical guidance. "Parents should always be careful because in some instances, where you have a very young child and the parents squeeze an enema with force, it can rupture some rectal tissues in the child," he cautioned.
He described the unsupervised use of enemas as one of the most harmful forms of self-medication, saying, "This is one of the biggest cancers killing our society." Dr Ankamah acknowledged the cultural roots of the practice. "Growing up, our parents used enemas, and it worked," he said.
However, he warned that many of the herbal or traditional preparations used can have dangerous effects. "Some could have an extremely purgative activity, which can lead to dehydration, so we should be a bit careful with that." Self-medication, including the use of leftover prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and traditional remedies without medical consultation, remains common across many African communities.
