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ISLAMABAD: A large number of
Infertility Clinics are functioning all over the country without any
monitoring and regulation. While only a few have the requisite
facilities and experienced staff, a vast majority of these
establishments do not have even the basic minimum facilities to make
proper diagnosis what to talk of managing these cases. Hence, they
continue to fleece these unfortunate ignorant couples. There is no
central registry either and we do not have the national data as to how
many procedures are performed annually and what is the success rate of
various centers.
According to estimates lacs of couples in the country need treatment but
they remain neglected. It is high time that the Women’s Rights Group,
Human Rights Group and others interested in welfare of the women should
impress upon the authorities to ensure adequate care of these
unfortunate couples. Many a times it is the male factor which is
responsible for infertility but in a male dominated society, the poor
women continue to suffer in silence for no fault of their. The Begums
sitting in the provincial and national assemblies have never raised
their voice on this important issue. It is generally believed that if
these infertile couples could contact some qualified gynaecologists and
hospitals having diagnostic facilities, they can have diagnosis by
spending just about five thousand rupees and then appropriate course can
be taken. Those who can be treated can decide how they have to proceed
while those who cannot be helped would not keep on wasting their
precious time and money.
Currently what is happening is that most of these infertile couples
particularly those from lower and middle class first go to the faith
healers, religious people and then visit the Hakeems, Homeopaths and
quacks. In this process they spend thousands of rupees without any
success. When they get disappointed, they consult the gynaecologists and
properly equipped and staffed Infertility Clinics. By this time they
have not only wasted lot of money and precious time, the chances of
conception also decrease as the age factor comes in. A vast majority of
the doctors are also not exposed to this subject during their
undergraduate training, have little or no knowledge about Assisted
Reproductive Techniques, which is another factor. Looking at the
magnitude of the problem it is high time that the College of Physicians
and Surgeons Pakistan, Universities should start training programmes in
this area which has so far remained neglected. It should be established
as a specialty to promote Assisted Reproductive Techniques. This will
also ensure proper training in embryology. It may be mentioned here that
in all the civilized countries of the world, they do maintain a central
registry. All the IVF, Infertility Clinics practicing various Assisted
Reproductive Techniques provide their data to this central registry. As
soon as they start the procedures, they are supposed to keep the central
registry informed of the developments. This not only helps in generating
the national data but the success rate of different centers is also
monitored, thus the whole programme is successfully regulated. This also
ensures that all the ethical issues are taken care of and no unethical
practices are allowed.
According to another report the University of Health Sciences at Lahore
had sometime ago planned to start a two years diploma course in Assisted
Reproductive Techniques. For this curriculum was also prepared. The
University inspection team was to visit the training facilities but what
happened to that project, is not known.
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