Health
Fertility Association Seeks Collaboration, Regulation For Robust Practice
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
Health
Many Nigerian Talents Wasted Due to Mental Health Challenges — Everight Diagnostic and Laboratory Services Boss
Joel Ajayi
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Everight Diagnostic and Laboratory Services, Dr. Everest Okpara, has expressed concern over the number of talented Nigerian athletes whose careers are cut short due to poor mental health support and inadequate medical care.
Dr. Okpara spoke on Thursday in Abuja during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the All Federal Capital Territory Sports Associations (AFSA) and Everight Diagnostic and Laboratory Services.
The event was attended by representatives of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, officials of various FCT sports associations, and other stakeholders.
He noted that Nigeria continues to lose promising athletes not because of lack of talent, but due to weak healthcare systems, especially in the area of mental health and early diagnosis.
“Our athletes face a lot. Some have underlying health conditions that go undetected. If diagnosed early, many of these challenges could be managed or prevented,” he said.
Dr. Okpara stressed that leading sporting nations invest heavily in preventive healthcare and performance science, a model Nigeria must adopt to remain competitive.
“Across the world, top sporting countries prioritize preventive healthcare. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, many gifted athletes fall short of their potential due to poor mental health conditions and lack of access to proper care,” he added.
He explained that the partnership with AFSA is aimed at reversing this trend by providing athletes with access to quality healthcare services, including mental health support, early diagnosis, and continuous medical monitoring.
According to him, the collaboration will create a sustainable pathway for athletes in the FCT and beyond to improve both their physical and psychological wellbeing, ultimately enhancing performance and career longevity.
“This initiative marks a turning point in Nigeria’s sports development. It is about building a healthier sports ecosystem where athletes can thrive and compete globally,” he said.
Also speaking, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, who was represented by Hon. Albert Atsonka commended Everight Diagnostic for its vision and commitment to national development.
Atsonka described the facility as a centre of excellence, noting that investments in such healthcare infrastructure would significantly reduce medical tourism and strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.
He said the MoU represents a strategic step toward improving athlete welfare and advancing sports development in the Federal Capital Territory.
“This partnership goes beyond business; it is a contribution to national growth. Everight’s name will be remembered in the history of sports development in the FCT,” he said, while also appreciating stakeholders like Mr. Clinton Agbor for their dedication to sports development.
In his remarks, the Director General of AFSA, Mr. Clinton Agbor, described the partnership as timely and crucial, especially in addressing issues such as doping, poor medical records, and inadequate athlete preparation.
He noted that AFSA, which oversees 48 sporting associations, is focused on grassroots development and believes early medical screening is essential for nurturing young talents.
“We must start from the grassroots. Athletes with proper medical history and care perform better. Many opportunities are lost due to failed medical tests, especially for players seeking contracts abroad,” he said.
Agbo added that the partnership would also provide subsidized healthcare services for athletes, sports officials, and journalists, while promoting education on health and fitness.
He revealed that the agreement, expected to last for an initial three years, would focus on comprehensive healthcare delivery, anti-doping awareness, and long-term athlete development.
The MoU signals a renewed commitment to integrating healthcare into sports development, with a strong focus on prevention, performance, and longevity—key factors needed to reposition Nigeria as a competitive force in global sports.
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