Gynaecologist Calls For Early Fertility Tests

Couples have been
advised to seek the help of medical fertility experts to intervene in their infertility challenges.
Consultant Gynaecologist, Dr Philip Miebaka A, gave the advice in a chat with our correspondent Monday in his office in Port Harcourt.
Miebaka who noted that the problem of infertility was fast becoming a serious family problem in the country maintained that couples with such challenges would need as matter of necessity, the Invitro Fertilisation (IVF) facility to prevent risks due to late conception.
Explaining that the Invitro Fertilisation is the fertilisation of an ovum by mixing it with the sperm in a laboratory after which the fertilized egg is implanted in the uterus to continue normal development, Miebaka said advanced fertility treatment such as the IVF has been of great help to many couples in overcoming their infertility challenges.
He however, regretted that for most couples particularly in this part of the world, ignorance and religious beliefs have remained factors militating against their self presentation to medical fertility experts to check them and proffer solutions to their problem.
According to him “a lot of couples do not go for medical help early enough in this aspect of family problem. They would rather wait till their 40s and even late before coming for medical  help and at this time, it is more difficult for treatment as against the ages of 20s and 30s”.
He said “those of them that would manage to come to the hospital would having heard the process contradict their religious beliefs and faith with the entire process.
The Gynaecologist who expressed fears that infertility would soon become an epidemic in this part of the world called on governments at all levels to partner with the medical health fertility experts in organising sensitisation workshops and make the treatment common and available to all and sundry.
“There is real danger that infertility could become an epidemic problem in this our society due to a combination of socio-economic, religious, environmental and lifestyle issues affecting our society. Until the governments see infertility as a social problem and subsidises its cost, many treatable infertility cases would remain with us thereby contributing to the rise in infertility cases among  many couples and indeed, its attendant social and marital consequences”, he said.

Lady Godknows Ogbulu