21 men opt for NSV; 1,709 women go for tubectomy

Manmeet Singh Gill

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 26

When it comes to adopting permanent contraception measures, men in general lag far behind their female counterparts as is evident from the data of men and women who have undergone no scalpel vasectomy (NSV) and tubectomy, respectively, in the recent times.

As per the figures available with the health department, only 21 men opted for NSV from April 1 to October 31 this year as compared to 1,709 women going for tubectomy in the same period.

Further from April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019, only 47 men chose NSV as compared to 2,572 women going for tubectomy.

Medical experts state that tubectomy in comparison to NSV is a bit more severe surgery requiring anesthesia. In comparison, the NSV is much easier surgery requiring 10 minutes only and the patient does not have a need for bed rest. In comparison women are advised bed rest.

The health officials stated that men usually are reluctant to go for NSV even though it is much easier. Instead men push their women to go for tubectomy as a family planning measure. An official said, “It has also been seen that even women do not allow men to go for NSV and instead themselves opt for tubectomy due to the myths regarding men losing their ‘mardaangi’ after the surgery.”

The basic myth is that men would lose their strength and as men in lower socio-economic classes usually have to work hard manually, they and their families simply say no to the best and easiest contraception method.

The government had long ago initiated a scheme to provide a monetary incentive of Rs 1,100 to men going for permanent sterilisation treatment. In comparison, the women get merely Rs 250 as monetary incentive. However, women from the BPL category get Rs 600.

Dr RS Sethi, District Family Planning Officer, said, “The department is organising special camps to conduct NSV surgeries in the district from November 28 to December 4.” He added that health employees are creating awareness among masses. He said that myths regarding men losing strength after NSV are unscientific and baseless.