WP "China Trying to Raise Birth Rate, Blocking Vasectomy"

Surgery Allowed Only with Official Approval... Hospitals Hesitate and Frequently Refuse Procedures

On the 11th of last month, visitors gathered in front of a photo of President Xi Jinping displayed inside the "Museum of the History of the Communist Party of China" in Beijing, the capital of China. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Minwoo Lee] There are concerns that the Chinese government is effectively blocking vasectomy, a permanent male contraception surgery, in an effort to raise the birth rate.

On the 9th (local time), the Washington Post (WP) reported that the Chinese government, which has enforced birth control policies for over 30 years, has taken such measures to increase the birth rate.

According to WP, Zhao Zhihuan and his wife, who had a son last year, decided not to have any more children and attempted to undergo a vasectomy, but were refused surgery at two hospitals. One of the doctors said that due to the government's new family planning law, vasectomies are no longer permitted.

China's family planning law guarantees citizens' reproductive rights, including birth control. While vasectomy is not banned, hospitals and doctors who perform vasectomies or abortions require approval from local health authorities. WP reported that since the Chinese government lifted birth restrictions and allowed up to three children per family in May, hospitals have been avoiding vasectomy procedures.

In fact, when WP inquired about the availability of vasectomy at 18 public hospitals in Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou, 12 responded that they do not perform the surgery. Among the six hospitals that do offer vasectomy, one reportedly stated that unmarried men cannot undergo the procedure.

Couples or unmarried men seeking vasectomy were refused surgery by doctors and hospital officials who warned they would regret it. One hospital reportedly required proof of marriage and evidence of having children.

The director of a hospital in Jingzhou City, Hubei Province, told WP, "Although it is theoretically a very simple surgery, public hospitals will avoid patients seeking vasectomy because performing surgeries not explicitly approved by the government is risky." WP also reported that some citizens are concerned that Chinese authorities might implement coercive birth promotion policies similar to the previous child limitation policies.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.