THE City Health Office's Population Division, known for its implementation of the no-scalpel vasectomy (NSV) program, predicts a rise in the number of men opting for the procedure. This projection is based on the observed average number of "acceptors" during the year's first half.
Jerrielyn Lewis, the Acting Chief of CHO Population Division, shared this information during the I-Speak media forum held at the City Hall Conference Room. Considering the latest average data, she expressed confidence that the office might surpass last year's record of 74 NSV acceptors.
"Naa nata sa 45 as of June and most likely ma-predict namo nga since naga-average nami og 11 per month, mudoble pa gyud ni siya hopefully (We are already at 45 as of June so most likely we can predict that since we now have an average of 11 per month, the number will double up, hopefully)," she said.
Lewis said they also observed an increase in online inquiries about the procedure.
"Na-popularize pud siya through digital platforms and naa mi acceptors nga without us knowing naay uban influencer (It was popularized through digital platforms, and we have had acceptors that, without us knowing, are influencers)," she said.
Lewis said that, hopefully, through an intensified online campaign, more acceptors of NSV will come to their office.
As information dissemination is the main driver for the program, they also conduct district activities where they provide counseling and information drive on this program.
Lewis said that the average age of NSV clients is 28 to 32 years old. But since the prerequisite before the procedure is informed choice, even younger men were catered to as they were willing to undergo the procedure.
According to her, NSV in Davao City is free, and its equivalent amount, if done privately, could be very costly.
Doctors who are doing this procedure are specially trained. After their procedure, medicine and food are also given to the clients.
Lewis said that contrary to unverified perceptions about NSV, it does not affect sexual performance.
“Performance, interest, capacity in terms of sexual activity wala gyud siya’y epekto. Ang pinaka-side effect niya dili naka kapabuntis (The performance, interest, capacity in terms of sexual activity, it will not have an impact. The main side effect is you will lose the ability to impregnate)," she said.
“Mura siyag kalsada nga ang pinaka function ni vasectomy is iyahang putlon ang kalsada ug ibulag niya kung atoa na siyang ikumpara ang whole mapa wala nausab naa ang lugar ang atoang giputol ang tulay kung asa muagi si semilya. (It can be likened to a road, the main function of vasectomy is that it will cut the road and separate it. You can compare it to the whole map of the place and the place where it cuts does not change, only the bridge where the sperm goes through is cut),” she said. (CIO)