Enhanced incentives led to increase in vasectomy surgeries in Coimbatore

COIMBATORE: Enhanced incentives and a change in mindset have increased the number of vasectomy procedures in Coimbatore district. Due to poor response to vasectomy procedures, health department officials from Coimbatore introduced an incentive of Rs 3,100 for each individual undergoing no-scalpel vasectomy surgery four years back. The health department is conducting no-scalpel vasectomy camps at four government hospitals across twelve blocks in Coimbatore district throughout the year. However, there are around 9,200 women undergoing birth control procedures in Coimbatore every month and when compared to that, male sterilization is too low in many districts.” Sources from the health department said they have fixed a goal to conduct at least 50 surgeries by the end of March 2025 as in the past, the number was consistently on the rise from single digits. A field staff said, many women are unable to undergo family planning procedures due to prior health complications, which has led to a push for men to consider vasectomy.