100 men underwent vasectomy, BLM offers free service
About 100 men underwent vasectomy out of 389,379 people who chose family planning method at Banja La Mtsogolo (BLM), 2013 data reveals.
Latest data from the sexual and reproductive healthcare Organisation indicates that Malawi experiences low uptake of male vasectomy.
The data attributed the low uptake to conservative beliefs that family planning is only for women and off-the-mark myths that vasectomy leads to reduced sexual performance in men.
BLM, which provides over 60 percent of family planning in Malawi, has since urged men to take part in family planning, which is available in all its family planning programs in the country.
“It is right that men share the responsibility of family planning and as a permanent method Vasectomy is an option for families to consider if and when they decide they do not want to have any more children,” says Nicky Mathews BLM’s Country Director.
Mathews said the science of Vasectomy may have not been adequately been explained as a viable family planning option for Malawian
families.
He then said BLM would institute deliberate policies to ensure more men access family planning methods especially vasectomy through
initiatives like World Vasectomy Day which falls on November 7th every year.
“World Vasectomy Day is a good opportunity to offer information about this procedure and also about the better quality of life many Malawian families experience without the fear of unwanted pregnancies,” added Mathews.
Research globally has shown that getting a vasectomy does not have an inverse effect on men’s health.
BLM with support from the ministry of health will make extra efforts starting January 2015 to promote vasectomy in Malawi as a viable
option for men who have decided not to have any more children.
The institution is expected to provide free vasectomy counselling and service on Friday 7th November 2014 at its clinics Ginnery Corner
(Blantyre), Falls (Lilongwe ) and Mzuzu.
Mathews also said that vasectomy should be viewed as a viable safe reproductive Health option for men to consider when making choices about the number of children they want to have.
“Remember, at the end of the day, vasectomy is about making choices – so make the choice that’s right for you. We call on local health
authorities/ the government to do more to promote positive response and uptake of vasectomy. However, a vasectomy does not protect against HIV infection or any other sexually transmitted infections so you should still use condoms.”