The Association for Fertility and Reproductive Health (AFRH) has called for the establishment of clear and comprehensive regulatory frameworks for Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) practice.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Education, Dr Tanko Sununu, has called for the establishment of a health bank where health facilities can easily accessed through loans at a single-digit interest.
Speaking at the opening of the 2024 annual conference of the association yesterday in Abuja, the President of the association, Prof Preyed Fiebai observed that Nigeria has witnessed a growing demand for ART services due to increasing awareness and social acceptance.
Fiebai said there was a need for adherence to ethical standards to protect the rights and health of patients, donors, and resulting offspring.
He emphasized the need to come up with comprehensive legal frameworks ensuring clear protocols around surrogacy, sperm donation, and genetic testing.
Fiebai noted that ART offers a pathway to fulfilling the dreams of parenthood for many couples experiencing infertility, especially at this time when fertility rates are declining worldwide.
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The AFRH president stated that advancements in fertility preservation, precision medicine, and personalized treatments have resulted from investments in research and technology.
Fiebai said that there has been commendable growth in ART services in Nigeria from pioneering clinics in Lagos and Abuja to emerging fertility centers across the country.
Minister of State for Education who emphasized the need to establish a health Bank said, “We must have a bank where we can easily take loans at a single digit. Let us look at what India is doing, billions of dollars are lost in foreign exchange just from people going to access health care out there.”
The chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) AFRH 2024 Conference, Dr Sunday Onuh, said that the association wants to make a difference and create a future where fertility challenges are addressed with innovative solutions and compassionate care.
