65 men undergo vasectomy at K R Puram camp

However, the mega vasectomy camp organised by Bangalore urban district under the Health Department, created a record with 65 men undergoing non-surgical/ scalpel vasectomy (NSV) at K R Puram General Hospital. The total number of NSVs done in June has touched 72.

The camp was considered a milestone, since they could do NSVs on so many men at one go. “Usually, we get about five to six cases on an average in a month. However, I have never seen so many men coming for NSV in my entire career," said Dr Sunder Ganesh, Administrative Medical Officer, K R Puram General Hospital.

He admitted that awareness about NSV among people had increased. Interestingly, majority of the men were accompanied by their wives, which was a good indication. The men who attended the camp were between 22 and 45 years old.
Srinivas, a resident of Hoskote Road underwent sterilisation after a health assistant told him about NSV. The 30-year-old construction worker has two children. “I didn't have any fear of undergoing sterilisation. In fact, my wife supported me and came along with me,” he said. Now, looking at him, two other men in his neighbourhood are interested in undergoing NSV.

Incentives
While health assistants are being credited for their hard work in motivating people about NSV, the gifts given to the men along with the Government’s monetary incentives could also be a reason for such a big turnout.

Apart from the government’s Rs 1,100 incentive for men undergoing NSV, they were also given a quartz watch (Rs 315), a steel plate (Rs 110) and a steel glass (Rs 36). In addition to this, the health assistants were given Rs 500 per case, instead of Rs 200 which was initially set by the Government for bringing in one case for NSV.
This is the first time we have given these gifts, said K T Swamy, president, Senior and Junior Health Assistants’ Association (SJHAA), Bangalore Urban.

A better solution
According to Dr Chandrashekaraiah, K R Puram taluk health officer, NSV is a simple peripheral procedure, where a male patient can go home the same day. “Men can rejoin work the next day itself after NSV. However, women have to take a week’s rest after having undergone the sterilisation surgery. This is not only a burden for the hospital but also causes inconvenience for her family,” he said.
He claimed NSV had no side-effects unlike the invasive surgery done on women. Echoing the same thoughts, Dr Sunder Ganesh added, “It’s the biggest service a man can do for his wife.”
DH News Service

Myths
* NSV ruins the man’s sexual desire and makes him impotent.
* Wives don’t allow their husband to undergo NSV as he would become weak and would not be able to earn a living.