Health

Fertility Association Seeks Collaboration, Regulation For Robust Practice

Published

1 year ago

September 20, 2024

The Association for Fertility and Reproductive Health (AFRH), has called for collaboration and robust regulation for the practice of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) in Nigeria.

The President, Prof. Preye Fiebai, made the call on Thursday in Abuja, at the opening ceremony of the association’s 14th Annual International Conference.

The conference is themed “Collaboration for Assisted Reproductive Techno- logy (ART): Global Best Practices in Nigeria”.

According to Fiebai, ART in Nigeria has made a lot of progress, but collaboration is the key to accelerating the said progress.

“To elevate Nigeria’s ART sector to global standards, we must foster collaboration across multiple sectors.

“Reproductive health specialists in Nigeria must collaborate nationally and with international experts to share knowledge, skills and technological advancements.”
He said that ethical guidelines and remarkable advances have emerged from countries at the forefront of ART and that domestication of global best practices could shape the future of the field in Nigeria.

According to the president, robust frameworks for ART practices, research and regulation have been established in the said countries, including adherence to ethical standards to protect the rights and health of patients, donors and resulting offspring.
Fiebai emphasised that establishing clear and comprehensive regulatory frameworks was long overdue, stressing the need for robust legal frameworks to ensure transparent and well-defined protocols.

He said that Lagos State had set the ball rolling with the establishment of guidelines for ART practice in the state, a feat that should be replicated across the country.
He, however, said that the National Assembly had made several attempts to pass a law and all stakeholders in the sector must collaborate to make it a reality.

The president also advocated for research partnerships, Public-Private Partnerships and cultural and community engagements for traditional and religious leaders.
This, he said, was because understanding the cultural and societal nuances surrounding infertility in Nigeria was vital to building ART services that arre not only medically effective but also socially acceptable.

Describing the important role ART plays, Fiebai said that it offered a pathway to fulfilling the dreams of parenthood for many couples experiencing infertility, especially at a time when fertility rates are declining worldwide.

He added that Nigeria had witnessed a growing demand for ART services due to increasing awareness and social acceptance.

Dr Yusuf Sununu, Minister of State for Education, emphasised the necessity of collaboration, stating that the government cannot achieve its goals alone.
He highlighted the importance of sharing resources and risks to attain a common objective.

Sununu who was the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Health Care Services in the 10th National Assembly, however, said that some medical practices required an Act of Parliament for proper guidance and protection.

“We need protection, we need to be guided. Certain litigations are left at the discretion of judges because there are no enabling laws and most of the times, practitioners are the ones who suffer.

“Our elders, they have done so much in training us, we need to also sit down and develop what we can do to protect our practice, to ensure that what we are doing is within the ethics of our profession.”

He also said that because the practice of ART was expensive, resources must be put together to make progress.

“The cost of practicing medicine has skyrocketed. Equipment that was once readily affordable now threatens to deplete our clinic’s resources. Even a single purchase would significantly strain our assets.

“There is a pressing need for a dedicated funding mechanism, such as a bank or fund that provides single-digit interest loans.

“While the Bank of Industry exists, we require a specialised institution catering exclusively to healthcare practitioners.

“Currently, we’re losing billions of dollars in foreign exchange due to Nigerians seeking medical care abroad.”

Speaking about the theme of the conference, the Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Dr Sunday Onuh, said that it underscored the practitioners’ relentless pursuit of excellence and collaboration in the field of ART.

“We stand on the threshold of revolutionary breakthroughs, and gatherings like this catalyse our collective progress toward achieving these ambitious goals.

“This year’s conference aims to promote ethical standards and regulate the practice of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), with a specific focus on third-party ART.”
The reports have it that the three-day conference which began on Wednesday will end on Friday.
NAN

Share on Facebook

Health

APC Youth Leader, Health Minister, Others Champion “Going Pink Walk” for Breast Cancer Awareness in Abuja

Published

2 weeks ago

October 18, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

It was a vibrant gathering of energetic young men and women across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Saturday in Abuja, as they joined the “Progress in Pink Walk”, a non-competitive awareness march organized by the All-Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Wing to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The event, themed “Walk for Hope, Walk for Life,” was commenced at The Nest — A Place Where Greatness is Hatched, an over 4 kilometres walk aimed at encouraging early detection, promoting timely medical intervention, and offering hope to those affected by breast cancer.

Leading the walk was the APC National Youth Leader, Dr. Dayo Israel, who has remained consistent in championing initiatives that promote youth empowerment, health consciousness, and community impact.

Over the years, Israel has spearheaded several programs designed to enhance the capacity and wellbeing of young Nigerians.

Globally, October is recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month — a period dedicated to increasing awareness, encouraging prevention, and supporting those battling the disease. The APC Youth Wing’s initiative aligns with this global campaign, demonstrating the party’s ongoing commitment to public health advocacy and youth-driven change.

Speaking after the walk, an elated Dr. Dayo Israel explained that the initiative was organized to create awareness among women, both young and old, on the importance of knowing their bodies and seeking medical attention early.

“We want women to know their breasts so well that if anything unusual happens, they act quickly.

“Cancer doesn’t occur overnight it develops over time. awareness, and early detection are key to saving lives,” he said.

He added that the walk also sought to promote fitness as a vital component of a healthy lifestyle and to encourage women to adopt positive habits that support their wellbeing and happiness.

In his remarks, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako commended the APC Youth Wing for taking proactive steps to raise awareness about a critical health concern.

“With this step you have taken today, more Nigerians will become aware of the dangers of late detection.

“Unfortunately, eight to nine out of ten breast cancer cases in Nigeria are detected late — a situation we must change through constant awareness and screening,” he said.

He emphasized the importance of prevention, urging Nigerians to take their health seriously through regular check-ups, healthy living, and avoidance of risk factors like smoking.

Also speaking, the President and CEO of the Nigerian Cancer Society, Prof. Abidemi Omonisi, noted that breast cancer remains one of the most prevalent forms of cancer in Nigeria, accounting for up to 40–50% of all cancer cases.

“Breast cancer remains a major public health challenge. Exercise plays a vital role not only in prevention but also in improving outcomes for people living with cancer and other non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension,” he said.

Prof. Omonisi stressed the need for a community-based response to cancer similar to the national efforts used to combat HIV/AIDS.

“We must involve everyone from schools and youth groups to community organizations to build resilience and eliminate the fear and stigma surrounding cancer,” he added.

He praised the APC Youth Wing for leading the charge, noting that young people, with their creativity and innovation, are uniquely positioned to drive impactful awareness campaigns both online and offline.

The “Progress in Pink Walk” concluded with participants pledging to continue spreading the message of early detection, regular screening, and healthy living underscoring that together, Nigerians can defeat breast cancer through awareness, unity, and action.

Share on Facebook