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Infertility fuelling stigmatisation in Third World - NGO
2007-12-26 09:52:51
By Adam Ihucha, Arusha
Nearly 80 million couples suffer from infertility worldwide, the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) has said.
And the negative consequences of childlessness are experienced to a greater degree in developing countries when compared to western societies.
``Childless women in developing countries are often stigmatized resulting in isolation, neglect, domestic violence and even suicide,`` Dr. Willem Ombelet of Belgium told the two days global Gynaecology forum held at Moivaro Lodge recently.
The most common cause for infertility in this part of the world, Dr. Ombelet said, is bilateral tubal occlusion due to sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy-reflected infections, a condition that is potentially treatable with assisted reproductive technologies (ART).
According to the local Gynaecology, Dr. Julius Msuya of Saint Thomas Hospital in Arusha, the new reproductive technologies are, however, either unavailable or very costly and as a result the majority of the population does not benefit from ART.
A single cycle of treatment can cost the victim in developing countries between US$ 4,000 and 5,000 at the moment, chipped in Dr. Ian Cooke from United Kingdom (UK).
``While recognizing the importance of prevention and education, we believe that for reasons of social justice infertility treatment in developing countries requires greater attention at national and international levels,`` Dr. Cooke explained.
Keynotes in the successful implementation of infertility care in low-resources setting include simplification of diagnostic procedures and ART, Dr. Ombelet stressed.
He further said minimizing the complication rate of interventions, providing training-courses for health care workers and incorporating infertility treatment into existing reproductive health care programmes, are also vital aspects.
As a result, the Arusha expert convention has resolved to form `Special Task Force` that is tasked to register and document the problem of infertility in developing countries.
The task force that will work for six months from December 2007, also will study the ethical aspects surrounding this controversial topic, effectiveness of a simplified `one-step clinic for the diagnosis of infertility`, effectiveness of simplified In Vintro Fertilization (IVF) related procedures among others.
During the scientific conference the Gynaecologists also officially inaugurated the `Cosmogolum statue` that will spread the message of hope and evolution for infertility sufferers and children worldwide. The Sculpture was made by local artists under Belgium artist Koen Vanmechelen.
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