With the continuous effort of the City Health Office (CHO) on male participation in family planning initiatives, Davao City is being seen as a model in the country’s vasectomy program.
Loida Alemendares, Programs Director of the DKT Philippines Foundation, Inc., said other provinces and Local Government Units (LGUs) have been joining the campaign because Davao City has become a model for them.
“I want to commend Davao City, because Davao City is one of the pioneers when it comes to vasectomy or sa male involvement [sa family planning]. Napaka-strong ng mga gender programs ninyo. 2007 po nag-pioneer na ang Davao sa usapin ng vasectomy, at ngayon natutuwa kami with the model na ginawa po ng Davao City unti-unti yu’ng iba pong mga probinsya, yu’ng ibang LGUs po natin, ay na encourage na rin na tignan itong programa na ito and they are now joining efforts with us for the campaign (I want to commend Davao City because Davao City is one of the pioneers in vasectomy and male involvement in family planning. You have excellent gender programming. In 2007, Davao became a pioneer in the matter of vasectomy, and now we are happy with the model that Davao City has done at this program other LGUs are now joining efforts with us for the campaign),” she said.
She said Davao City even recently presented its good practice on family planning at the National Family Planning conference.
“So, buong Pilipinas po nalaman ano yung ginagawang good practices ng Davao when it comes to vasectomy (So, the whole Philippines knows the good practices in Davao when it comes to Vasectomy),” she said.
She said that with the help of the CHO, they continuously educate men on the misconceptions of no-scalpel vasectomy or NSV.
She added that among all family planning methods, vasectomy is the most effective.
Dr. Titus Theodor Antonio of the CHO’s Population Division said NSV is also safe.
“Very safe kasi non-invasive man siya. Wala man ta gagamit og scalpel. Deperensya sa conventional nga naay blade, kani puncture lang ni siya. Very safe, very minimal ang pain. Almost no pain gani siya (It is very safe because it is non-invasive. We don’t even use a scalpel. Unlike the conventional one which we use blade, it’s just a puncture. It is very safe and they will feel just a very minimal pain. It’s like there’s no pain at all),” he said.
Antonio said since January 2024, two foreigners, 28 non-residents, and 80 Dabawenyos have availed of the NSV.
The CHO’s Population Division conducts free NSV services every last Friday of the month. On November 29, in celebration of the No Scalpel Vasectomy Day, the CHO will conduct NSV to 22 clients at the Buhangin District Health Center.
Male Dabawenyos who would like to use the City Population Division’s free NSV service can message them at 09952024680 or visit their Facebook page. CIO
