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Infertility Is On The Rise
June 30, 2008 12:05, 274 views
Dr. Tunde Okewale tells SYLVESTER ASOYA about IVF
Q: In-Vitro Fertilisation is relatively new, especially in a developing country like Nigeria. What were the challenges you faced?
A: In-Vitro Fertilisation is not really new worldwide. But the first IVF baby was born in 1978 in the United Kingdom. The second one was reported in India in 1979 and by 1980, it was reported in Australia while America recorded the first IVF baby in 1982. In 1989, there was a report in Nigeria from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, that they had an IVF baby. But from 1989, there was a lull, for some strange reasons, in Nigeria up till 1996 when a favourable report came from Abuja. Since that time, there has been renewed interest in IVF in Nigeria because of the increasing level of infertility in the society. And quite a sizeable number of women or couples that are infertile require some form of assisted conception. Right now, there are about 12 centres in the whole country. The challenges are the challenges of Nigeria. A decent IVF lab runs into millions of naira and the equipment have to be maintained at a particular temperature. That is where the issue of electricity comes up because it has to run for 24 hours. That is the major challenge. Then the awareness. People are not totally aware and when they are, they usually have a wrong impression about what IVF is really about.
Q: How old is your facility? And what has been your experience so far?
A: We opened our doors to the public 11 months ago. There were not enough patients when we started. The first thing we did was to let people know about the existence of a facility in Ikeja. People use IVF as a last resort and unfortunately, the success rate decreases as the women’s age increases. For any woman above the age of 35, her chances have begun to decrease. We also have the challenge of getting the things we need for it because the equipment are not assembled in Nigeria. You have to import these things.
Q: What actually prepared you for In-Vitro Fertilisation?
A: I have been treating women for a very long time now. I am basically a ‘woman’ doctor because I am a gynaecologist. I have been treating women since 1985 when I qualified. Quite a number of them have infertility problems. We treat up to the point where we can, then we refer them abroad. The ones that can’t afford going abroad, we just watch them and keep praying with them, especially those whose tubes are blocked. For these, there is nothing you can do. And we know that the IVF technology breaks all the barriers. If the tubes are blocked, it does not matter; if the sperm counts is low, it does not matter. For me personally, the ambition was that each woman that comes here, I should be able to treat, from the basics up to the highest level.
Q: Would you say that infertility is on the rise in Nigeria?
A: It is definitely on the rise for various reasons. If we look at the factors that are necessary for conception to occur, you will understand what I mean. For instance, you need a good sperm. A woman needs a good womb that can accept a pregnancy. She needs a good tube where the eggs will pass through and she needs to ovulate regularly. Those are the factors. The things that cause infertility are problems of sperm, problems of bad womb due to fibroid and blocked tubes due to infection. Unfortunately in Nigeria, infection is very high or badly treated. There has also been gradual change in lifestyles. This has affected fertility as well. Our parents got married at the age of 20 or 21 and before 30, they already had most of their children. Now, you find a lot of women postponing the time to get married because of career purposes. And a lot of men drink and smoke heavily. These affect the sperm. Pollution and even insecticides also affect sperm production. This is not only in Nigeria, but all over the world.
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Sam
3 July 2008 13:41It is true that infertility is in the increase. It would be nice if you can publish list of hospitals where one can go for the IVF and their addresses. There are lot of people who wants to know about this
Sam
3 July 2008 13:42It is true that infertility is in the increase. It would be nice if you can publish list of hospitals where one can go for the IVF and their addresses. There are lot of people who wants to know about this and even the cost.
John
15 July 2008 12:33I want to know your address and other IVF centers in Lagos
Chigoziri
27 July 2008 09:24Kindly provide us with the address of IVF centers in Nigeria, and possibly the cost for treatment in these centers. (we understand that the cost may vary depending on the type of treatment.).
thanks
Chigoziri