Throughout this week, until November 14th, the largest annual international meeting on vasectomy is being held in La Plata. Organized by World Vasectomy Day (WVD), it is hosted by the Ministry of Health of the Province of Buenos Aires. The meeting aims to transform the way we talk about contraception, care, and equity, the organizers informed Noticias Argentinas. The official opening took place on Tuesday, with the presence of the Minister of Health of the Province of Buenos Aires, Nicolás Kreplak; the Minister of Women and Diversity, Estela Díaz; and the Director of Gender Equity in Health, Carlota Ramírez. Also present were the Director of Sexual and Reproductive Health, Gisela Stablun; the Executive Director of WVD, Jonathan Stack; and the Director of WVD in Argentina, Lorena Setien. Participating also were the president of the WVD board and trainer, Dr. Esgar Guarin, and the trainer Dr. Ana Cepeda Navarro, in addition to members of the various interdisciplinary health teams.
The main activities of the week are: a vasectomy marathon in various hospitals in the province (among others, San Martín, the Carlotto maternity ward, and the Mercante hospital) and the presence of a mobile clinic touring the province (which will perform vasectomies in La Plata this Friday). Courses for local doctors on scalpel-free vasectomy are also being led by international WVD trainers, along with workshops, round tables, and a health fair with booths for rapid HIV and syphilis testing, vaccination, and basic check-ups. There are also promotional activities, educational games about comprehensive sexual health, an open radio, art exhibitions, and live music (Calle 51 e/ 5 y 6, La Plata).
Additionally, a 24-hour global summit is being held (from Thursday at 6:00 PM until the same time on Friday), which virtually covers 40 countries with panels, testimonials, and interviews.
Quotes:
"We measure our success not only by the number of vasectomy procedures we facilitate, but also by the quality of conversations we inspire," he assured.
"Beyond the fact that the surgical contraception law dates back to 2006, vasectomy in Argentina was an option for few," stated the director of WVD, Lorena Setien, and added: "that today it is an increasingly available and accessible option transforms it into a right, and being part of that change fills us with pride."
"We began with a one-day celebration in 2013, to achieve an annual program with more than 2,500 doctors in over 40 countries: World Vasectomy Day has consolidated itself as the largest men's reproductive health movement in the world," expressed the Executive Director of WVD, Jonathan Stack.
