The Association for Fertility and Reproductive Health (AFRH) has stated that Nigeria is still far from establishing globally competitive standards in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) due to inadequate data reporting and a lack of robust regulation.
At the 14th Annual International Conference of the association held in Abuja, President Prof. Preye Fiebai highlighted the necessity for collaboration in the field. The conference’s theme, “Collaboration for Assisted Reproductive Technology; Global Best Practices in Nigeria,” emphasizes the need for joint efforts to enhance ART services.
Prof. Fiebai stressed that as reproductive health becomes increasingly central to global well-being, collaboration is crucial to ensure that ART remains innovative and accessible while adhering to high standards. He remarked on the growing demand for ART services in Nigeria, driven by heightened awareness and social acceptance, but noted that the potential of ART can only be realized through partnerships that integrate global best practices with local contexts.
He emphasized that ART provides hope for many couples facing infertility, especially amid declining fertility rates worldwide. Prof. Fiebai called for collaboration among medical professionals, governments, researchers, and communities to transform this hope into reality.
He noted that ethical guidelines and significant advances have been established in countries leading in ART, with robust frameworks governing practices, research, and regulation. These include adherence to ethical standards protecting the rights and health of patients, donors, and offspring, as well as comprehensive legal frameworks addressing surrogacy, oocyte and sperm donation, and genetic testing.