Malawi in vasectomy drive to stem population growth: Minister Phiri says male contraceptive way to go

Malawi government has said it wants to encourage men to have vasectomies in a bid to stem the landlocked country’s growing population and persuades the development partners  to channel their financial resources towards promotion of Vasectomy.

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Ben Phiri interacts with the youths on the use of family planning methods during the National Symposium Conference -pic by Lisa kadango
Minister Phiri inspects some of the drugs displayed at the National Symposium conference in Lilongwe-pic by Lisa Kadango
USAID Mission Director Littleton Tazewell speaks during the National Symposium on Population and Development in Lilongwe-pic by Lisa Kadango
Minister Phiri being briefed on Family Planning Methods during the National conference -pic by Lisa Kadango
Phiri listens attentively on how population can be reduced with the use of family planning methods-pic by Lisa Kadango

A vasectomy is often irreversible as it is a surgical procedure for male sterilisation or permanent contraception. During the procedure, the male vas deferens (tube which conveys sperm from the testicle) is cut and tied or sealed to prevent sperm from entering into the urethra. This thereby prevents fertilisation of a female through sexual intercourse.

Speaking  on Wednesday, when the opening of National Symposium on Population and Development in Malawi at Bingu international Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ben Phiri said despite a number of interventions in family planning and the increase of uptake of contraceptives up to 58 per cent, the southern African nation still has increased its population over the years.

He said that given the option and right advice, men might be more willing to consider having a vasectomy.

Minister Phiri said  apart from condom use, birth control is usually left to women.

“We have been promoting the use of contraceptives among women while men have just been passive participants in family planning initiatives and they always find a way to bear child from other women out of wedlock. This is what is contributing to population boom in the country,” the Minister added.

While women have many methods for preventing pregnancy, the options for men boil down to condoms, withdrawal (pulling out) or getting a vasectomy. The latter is rarely used by many men in Malawi.

Many men prefer the skin-to-skin feeling that condoms normally prevent, while the withdrawal method is the least effective. But they are loath to settle for a vasectomy as a means of family planning.

Senior Chief Mlonyeni of Mchinji agreed with the suggestion that men should be on vasectomy in order to reduce population growth.

“The population increase in the country has contributed to shortage of land, deforestation, food shortage, overfishing and poor access to social services in various areas,” Mlonyeni said.

He added that if the programme is to be a success traditional and religious leaders should be in lead in order to spearhead the initiative.

A vasectomy usually takes less than 30 minutes to complete. Many vasectomy patients find that they can resume their typical sexual behaviour within a week, and do so with little or no discomfort.

Medical experts says that vasectomy is a modern, safe and effective family planning method for men whose families are complete.

The procedure is not encouraged for young, single, childless men, as their chances of biological parenthood are thereby more or less permanently reduced to almost zero. —Additional reporting by Tione Andsen, Mana

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Kanyimbi
Kanyimbi
5 years ago

Ananena kuti sumathira ndi ndani? Vasectomy umathira bwino bwino koma sukhala ndi ukala wobereketsa umangothira phala lokha basi aaah! Comments mudzipanga chinthu chomwe mwachimvetsetsa anthuni plz.

Mujomba
Mujomba
5 years ago

Eeeesh a Ben musatinyase zaziiii, where was minister health or deputy??? Hw many ministries are under this stupid lomwe….?

Mpale Weniweni
Mpale Weniweni
5 years ago

Is this man Health Minister? What is really happening in this country. Visibility yafika povutatu in readiness for 2024

Chiswa B
Chiswa B
5 years ago
Reply to  Mpale Weniweni

You are very dull. Who said population is a health issue only? I c where u come from.

Hate it or take it but it's a fact

Chamba chenicheni ichi, ndimumene imakomera ukamathira then ndizasiye kuthira??

I think they must cut u first Ben Phiri and Gondolosi sazagwilatso ntchito .

Ashamed Cadet
Ashamed Cadet
5 years ago

Why is Ben Phiri taking center stage on vasectomy that is very much a health related issue instead of Japhie Mhango who is the Ministrr of Health?

This cabinet of APM is very dysfunctional to say the least because powerful ministers have turned it into a zone for showing off in the drive of proving who is fit to succeed APM. But normalcy demands giving respect to the roles of others as one cannot be a Mr Know It All.

A Ben Phiri polani moto

angoni apaphata
angoni apaphata
5 years ago

Andunawo akapanga liti?

BAY
BAY
5 years ago

Mmmmmm chepetsani liwiro ….mpaka mtheno mwamuna ngati adayamba watengapo mmimba….

Sabata
Sabata
5 years ago

Go to Lomwe belt and tell them to stop the production of gondolosi.

Analyst
Analyst
5 years ago

I will never do that stupid thing. Women can be cruel. The time she realises that you have undergone vasectomy procedure she may divorce you and take custody of the kids. You cannot go on to marry and have children. They will use that to punish men. If men are not careful they will be extinct. Today the world has 55% women and 45% men.

Alex mgeni
Alex mgeni
5 years ago

Izitu nzosatheka Inu…..mimba zili ku ma xul, college etc…% ya mimba za amuna apa banja nzochepa……..so mupanga vasectomy Ana a sukulu? Kusaganiza basi

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