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Source: Chioma Obinna
…End stigma, increase male involvement, and invest in public fertility services, experts urge
Leading voices in reproductive health have called on the Nigerian government and healthcare stakeholders to overhaul the country’s approach to infertility care, highlighting the need for early diagnosis, increased awareness, and affordable, accessible treatments for couples struggling to conceive.
This urgent call was made at the 10th Androscientific and Fertility Symposium, held in Lagos and themed:
“Bridging the Gap in Infertility Care: Innovations, Challenges, and the Role of Healthcare Professionals.”
The event brought together experts from medicine, academia, and policy to mark a decade of advocacy by the Androscientific Association of Nigeria.
Opening the event, Mr. Juade Samuel, National President of Androscientific, called for an end to stigma and myths surrounding infertility, particularly those that unfairly target women.
“Infertility is not a curse or a stigma. It is a reproductive health condition that needs professional care, not shame,” he said.
Samuel emphasized that infertility is a couple’s issue, noting that male factors contribute to at least 30% of cases. He urged couples to seek medical help after just three to six months of trying to conceive, especially when over the age of 35.
“Infertility care should not be a luxury—it should be a public health priority,” he stressed.
Dr. Muibat Adeniran, a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, highlighted the lack of awareness about common but treatable causes of infertility—such as sexually transmitted infections that cause tubal blockages in women or low sperm counts in men.
She advocated for premarital fertility screening for men and challenged cultural assumptions that place the blame solely on women.
“Infertility is not a gendered issue—it affects couples. If a man has fertility issues and the woman isn’t prepared to stand by him emotionally and financially, maybe marriage should wait,” she said.
Renowned fertility specialist, Professor Kolawole Oyebiji, warned that scientific advancements in reproductive technology have limited impact if access and affordability are not addressed.
“What’s the use of affordable treatment if it’s 200km away and unavailable?” he asked.
“Infertility takes a mental toll—one woman told me she crashed her car after hearing she might never conceive.”
He also advocated for infertility to be treated with the same policy urgency as HIV, cancer, or malaria, with youth-focused reproductive education and fertility awareness from early adulthood.
Dr. Toyosi Raheem, chairman of the symposium, emphasized that healthcare providers—including psychologists, pharmacists, and lab scientists—must receive specialized training to support infertility patients.
“Gone are the days when we believed there was no solution. We now have medical, surgical, and psychological interventions. But people must come forward to access them,” he said.
Stakeholders at the event jointly urged the Federal and State Governments to establish dedicated fertility centres, just as general hospitals cater to other medical needs. They emphasized that infertility must be mainstreamed in health policies, with public awareness campaigns and community-based support.
Participants pledged to:
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