Earlier, even after the Centre announced an increase in incentives for those who voluntarily went for vasectomy, there was a very poor response — only 208 cases were recorded in Mumbai last year. The Central government had increased the incentive to Rs 1100 which was given with the State government incentive of Rs 351. Besides, the motivator who brought in men for vasectomy is also given Rs 200 for each case.

To boost the scheme, BMC, which earlier registered only 10 cases of vasectomy a month, advertised massively for the camp, especially wooing men living below poverty line (BPL). The camp is being held in the maternity hospital in F south civic ward.

“The very first day of the camp saw 24 men waiting outside the hospital followed by 27 on Tuesday, 31 on Wednesday and it reached 60 on Thursday. The rush is unbelievable,” said Dr Asha Advani, special officer, women and child welfare, BMC.

“We published advertisements in newspapers, especially regional newspapers, and also banners were placed throughout the city,” she added.

It is not just the men who go for vasectomy get the incentive, but people who read the advertisement and contact the centre also get the money meant for motivators. Men who have already undergone vasectomy and motivate others too are eligible for the benefits.

“A patient who got vasectomy done on the first day brought along with him six others later. This works well as it gives mouth to mouth publicity and also gets a chain started,” said Dr Advani.

The scheme is gaining momentum, especially after the fringe benefits — free pick-up and drop service for patients in ambulance, free medication and bandage, free counseling, less hospitalisation time and less cut and stitch surgery.

“If the same momentum is maintained, we will be close to achieving the annual target of 3,800 vasectomies,” said Dr Advani. BMC is planning to start such camps in all its hospitals including 24 maternity homes, 16 peripheral hospitals and 3 training colleges and also the outreach centres.

Until this camp was organized, doctors in BMC hospitals performed conventional vasectomies where doctors cut and stitched the area.