Meanwhile, its impact is particularly prominent in cultures where a high
premium is placed on childbirth, like Nigeria and other African countries,
leading to social, psychological and economic challenges. However, more than
eight million babies worldwide have been born as a result of assisted
pregnancies, according to preliminary data released by the International
Committee for Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technologies in Palo Alto,
California, United States (U.S.)
Meanwhile, lack of regulation and ethics, which promote quackery has
been the bane of all sectors in Nigeria, however, the IVF industry is not free
from this treacherous act that endangers not only patients and couples in dire
need of solution to their childlessness or infertile predicate, but the country
in general. The WHO estimates that infertility affects up to 10.5 per cent of
couples of reproductive age group globally and 20 per cent of couples of the
same group in Nigeria.
Available statistics shows that there are about 12 million infertile
persons in Nigeria, which is almost 10 percent of the total population. On the
rising cases of infertility, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University
of Tokyo, Japan, Yutaka Osuga, explained to newsmen that one of the major
factors leading to rise in infertility as a result of failure of IVF treatment
is age. He said most couples seek IVF treatment at an older age, especially
when they are 40 years, adding that the success rate of the procedure is slim
as the woman does not produce enough eggs.
“The average of the patients treated by IVF maybe 30 years or
so, in Japan the average is about 40 years, in other Asian countries the
average age who are treated with IVF could be around 35 years and 40 years, so
the older a patient gets, the success rate declines, so here the patients maybe
much younger than our patients in Asia so the success rate should be higher and
should be an advantage,” he said.
Although, the IVF procedures have helped couples to deal with the high
rate of infertility, however, lack of financial resources, poor income, high
cost, complications associated with IVF treatment, low awareness regarding IVF,
inadequacy of healthcare services coverage and dearth of trained healthcare
professionals are other factors that hinder the growth of the IVF treatment
market in the underdeveloped countries in Africa and Nigeria where the market
is projected to reach N1.35 trillion.
This is compared to the Global IVF services market, which generated
$10,587 million in 2017 and is projected to reach $22,467 million by 2025,
growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.8 per cent from 2018 to
2025. These have caused several fertility experts and other stakeholders to
have a new direction and intensely focus on the issue of infertility, as it
affects the country and threatens the IVF industry.
It is estimated that the number of IVF clinics in Nigeria is close to
70, while the total number in Africa is near 160, as compared to the number of
clinics in Chicago city alone, which is over 80. This figure shows that Nigeria
is now recognised worldwide as a part of ART as virtually 95 per cent of IVF
cases are treated in Nigeria by Nigerians.
No wonder, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) raised alarm
that there have been cases of unqualified medical personnel recorded, with the
situation growing worse in recent years with quacks or unlicensed medical personnel
boldly operating in public and private hospitals. According to a survey
conducted in Nigeria early in 2014, it was found that over 50 per cent of the
population had received treatment in one form or the other from “quacks”.
The situation, according to the President, Association for Fertility
Reproductive Health (AFRH), Dr. Faye Iketubosin, calls for the coming together
of all IVF centres in Nigeria to check unethical practices and abuse within the
industry, adding that with the number of fertility centres currently across the
country, more are on their way to being established. Iketubosin, the Medical
Director, George’s Memorial Medical Centre, who spoke at the eighth yearly
conference of the AFRH, themed: “AFRH 2018- New Frontiers in Assisted Reproductive
Technology (ART)” said the rapidly unfolding development of ART practice in the
country and the largely unregulated industry still solicits further involvement
from the government in achieving the minimum standard for establishing IVF
clinics.
Dr. Michael Ogunkoya (+2348033069466) is the best fertility specialist
in Nigeria. He was trained in the best medical schools in USA, London, Canada, Wales
and Hungary. Dr. Ogunkoya is the man that has the divine mandate to stamp-out
infertility among Nigerian couples. Just contact him and your infertility
challenges will be things of the past. With God, all things are possible. Dr.
Ogunkoya is the medical director of The Hope Valley Fertility Clinic.
The Hope Valley Fertility Clinic
Plot 31, Block 113,
Oladimeji Alo Street, Opposite Visa Office, By Ikate Roundabout, Lekki Phase 1,
Lagos-Epe Express Way, Lagos.
+2348033069466
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