The 2015 mission in the Philippines was attended by the largest team in the history of NSVI missions. Our missions in the Philippines, especially ones of this size, would never have been possible without months of preparatory work by our Philippine domestic team and weeks of effort by our Board in informing local communities and preparing the facilities for our arrival.

Ten visiting vasectomists and four assistants from six countries shared their skills and knowledge with the students of the Southwestern University College of Medicine. We also trained six doctors in vasectomy who came for the training from Davao, Mindanao.

 

Please watch the film about vasectomy during the mission in the Philippines (in English):

In 2015 we visited 3 different mission sites, all on one island, in Cebu and in Tuburan. We all had cameras (at least in our phones) and all of us (besides doing vasectomies) took photos. It was very hard to choose the ones that would convey the essence of our mission and its atmosphere, but a sample is presented below.

Day 1:

Tuesday 3 February: The mission begins at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Cebu

If you do not like posing for photos, you will never survive an NSVI Philippines mission. Here is a group photo, even before we start.

The media took an interest in our work (vasectomy). NSVI Development Director Doug Stein presented our goals …

… Meanwhile the rest of the team prepared the procedure rooms and then performed vasectomies.

Day 2:

Wednesday 4 February: Vasectomy was the main topic of the press conference

The medical university hosting us is also the alma mater of the founders of NSVI.

Dr Suarez (founder and funder) presented the history of NSVI, while Dr Stein described needle-free anaesthesia for vasectomy using the MadaJet.

The press was fascinated that one of the NSVI participants, Dr Robert Kulik, had come at his own expense from a country as distant as Poland.

After the second hard day at the Sacred Heart Hospital (SHH), Dr Alex Lemkaking , a Filipino-American urologist from Maryland (kneeling next to Dr Suarez), invited the whole NSVI team to an elegant club for dinner. Alex has supported NSVI missions for years, so much so that he has become an honorary member of the team.

Day 3:

Thursday 5 February: Vasectomy in Danao, BMA Party in Tuburan

The Provincial Hospital in Danao turned out to be an ideal facility for a team as large as ours. The room was bright, spacious and full of narrow tables – ideal conditions for vasectomists working in pairs.

Many variants of blocking the vas deferens are used in the world today. Many of them have various advantages, but also drawbacks. One of the best aspects of bringing together a large group of vasectomists from different backgrounds is the chance to work together and exchange ideas and techniques. NSVI vasectomy missions are a place for exchanging experience and for the continuous learning of our members.

Special praise is due to Elizabeth Davis (bottom left corner, and second from the left), who is Dr Sarah Miller’s right hand in the USA. Elizabeth, together with Felicity, Lucy and Debbie, sterilised the instruments for us.

A meal in the Philippines is always a pleasant cultural and culinary adventure. The fishing port in Danao is a wonderful place to try fresh seafood caught that morning.

After lunch our patients and the local staff happily posed for photos with the members of our NSVI team.

Mission director Dr Bob Kiamco consulted patients at the Tuburan District Hospital.

 

… in the procedure room …

… you could meet and watch the world’s best vasectomists – in action.

Dr Michel Labrecque – a giant of world vasectomy – from Canada

Next to Michel Labrecque, another giant of world vasectomy, Dr Nicolas Demediuk from Australia

A few days later…..

Day 7:

Monday 9 February: Back at the Sacred Heart Hospital; a visit to the local prison

While touring East Asia with his family, Dr Michel Labrecque, a world scientific authority on vasectomy and one of the best teachers, joined NSVI for the last 3 days of the mission. Our team offered NSVI vasectomy services, through the governor, to the inmates of the local prison, which met with great interest.

During lunch we learned that 72 prisoners wanted to use the free service, since condoms are not allowed during conjugal visits, so unwanted pregnancies are quite common among the inmates’ partners.

The prison is located in the mountains above Cebu. Visiting it and learning about the life of the prison community, its culture and the programmes run there was an interesting experience for us.

For the members of the NSVI team it was another chance to work together and exchange experience

Dr Laurel Spooner, the chief vasectomy trainer in England, and Prof. Jay Sandlow, the most enthusiastic promoter of vasectomy training among American doctors, an experienced vasectomy reversal surgeon (restoring patency after a vasectomy). One of the co-authors of the American Urological Association’s Vasectomy Guidelines.

Our farewell dinner was an occasion to celebrate a successful mission and to form new, lasting friendships.

Dr Peter Asnar, dean of the SWU Medical School, was our gracious host and greatest supporter. He issued certificates of appreciation to all participants of our mission.