MUHANGA – Three men in Kibangu sector have voluntarily undergone vasectomy operations at Gitega Health Centre, as a way of embracing family planning. This brings the number of men operated in the district to 50.

Dr. Dominique Rwankunda, of Gitega Health Centre, said the surgical operation was successfully carried out lasting over six hours on October 6. He said more men were expected to under-go the operation any time from now.

Each of the men was accompanied by his spouse. The women stated that the need to adopt such a method of family planning was out of mutual understanding.

The operation follows a series of sensitisation campaigns urging men to participate in family planning activities. Dr. Rwankunda explained that one must be above 45 years, with at least four children and has mutual consent with the wife, in order to under go the operation.

Talking to The New Times, the men who underwent the operation said that they reached the decision after realising the need of having smaller and hence more manageable families.

The men added that their wives had experienced adverse side effects after using other widely known female family planning methods.

Joel Serucaca, the district health official said: "In a bid to promote family planning, men have been encouraged to be partners in such endeavours and the first group will be eventually helpful in mobilising others.”

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