One in six people on average experience infertility, according to a report published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday. The report highlighted the need for accessible, affordable and quality fertility care for those in need.
The report found little difference in results from high, middle, and low-income countries. "The report reveals an important truth – infertility does not discriminate," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General at WHO.
"Even though assisted reproductive technology (ART) has existed for over four decades, it remains either unavailable or inaccessible to most people in resource-poor settings," the report reads. It showed that the medical costs of infertility treatment are often higher than the GDP per capita, making it an unaffordable option as many people worldwide are paid below their countries' national average.
The WHO Director-General stated that the report "shows the need for widespread access to fertility care, and ensures that this problem can no longer be sidelined in health research and policy, so that safe, effective and affordable ways to achieve parenthood are available to those who aspire to it."
Related News
- A ‘taboo’ disease: 60% of endometriosis patients feel misunderstood
- New Belgian technique could double chances of IVF pregnancy
Infertility can be the cause of "stress, stigma and financial problems, which affect mental and psychological well-being", according to the report. Patients usually have to cover the cost of treatment themselves as, in many countries, there is not enough funding for infertility, whether in prevention, diagnosis or treatment. Therefore, the report concludes with a call for better public funding.
WHO defines infertility as the inability of a couple to naturally conceive a baby after 12 months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.
