Mumbai: Despite conducting less procedures this year compared to the previous one, the BMC has conducted 736 Non-Scalpel Vasectomies (NSV), known to be the safest sterilisation technique for men. This, the State Health Department said, is the highest for 2016-17.
The civic body has also conducted the most post-partum (after delivery) implants of Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices (IUCD), which is inserted into the uterus to prevent future pregnancies. Of the 49,192 IUCD procedures done in Mumbai in 2016-17, 7,382 were post-partum.
The State government’s recognition of the BMC’s efforts in family planning was announced on World Population Day, observed on July 11.
The NSV is a simple, sutureless procedure in which doctors clamp the tube carrying sperms from the testicles. A tubectomy is a surgical procedure in which a woman’s fallopian tubes are clamped to prevent the eggs from reaching the uterus. The procedure is done by making a small incision below the belly or by laparoscopy, with the latter enabling faster recovery.
Dr Asha Advani, Special Officer, Family Planning Department, BMC, said NSVs are far more safe than tubectomies. “More male sterilisations automatically helps us in birth control, avoiding unwanted pregnancies and lowering the maternal mortality rate.”
She said an IUCD is a timely intervention that helps the woman to ensure an adequate gap before the next child. Dr. Advani added that the State government has also introduced a new injectable contraceptive for women, which will be offered free of cost in all public sector hospitals. The contraceptive is to be administered once every three months under Antara, a family planning programme. The injectable contraceptive contains the birth control hormone Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (MPA).
Dr Archana Patil, Additional Director, State Family Welfare Bureau, said the idea is to offer a basket of choices to both men and women. “We’re not looking only at population control; important challenges including maternal deaths, abortion complications and infant mortality rate are also targeted through these initiatives.”
She added that the State’s overall fertility rate of 1.8 is slightly below 2, the level considered ideal. Currently, choices in contraceptives include condoms, pills, injectable contraception, IUCD, PPIUCD, vasectomy and tubectomy.
Burden on Women
The BMC’s performance also highlights the fact that women continue to bear the burden of family planning, while men shy away from it. Compared to the 736 NSVs, the civic body conducted 20,745 tubectomies in 2016-17. Experts said common reasons behind why men are reluctant to go in for sterilisation are fear of pain, complications and loss of libido.
Dr. Ashok Anand, a gynaecologist at the State-run JJ Hospital, said tubectomy involves making an incision in the abdominal cavity, which makes it a major surgery. “While clamping the tubes, there can be bleeding, injury to the intestine or bladder, or infections,” he said. Dr Anand added that deaths due to tubectomy are not uncommon. “We live in a male-dominated society where women are pushed to go for the procedure. The trend is worrisome.”
