The Association for Fertility and Reproductive Health (AFRH), the umbrella body for fertility and reproductive health practitioners had her 13th annual international conference in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital recently.
At the conference opening ceremony held at EUI event center GRA, Port Harcourt, the chairman of the local organising committee, Prof Voduneme Oriji, while welcoming guest and participants expressed his delight at the third hosting of AFRH in Rivers state, assuring members that the LOC ” has put together very interesting topics and speakers to put their wealth of experience in understanding this rare and neglected area of our practice. Referring to the conference theme “fertility treatment without borders ” and the sub-theme”harmonising the ethical and socio-cultural difference across borders” as he noted that consideration to the impact of ethics and socio-cultural differences are paramount in the treatment of fertility and reproductive health.
The event which was an hybrid event had participants and speakers both physically and virtually.
The president of AFRH, a consultant gynacologist and Obstetrician, who is also the head of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital assisted conception unit, Dr. Preye Fiebai, said “since inception the association (AFRH) has been particular about standards and have been ensuring that ethical practices are carried out.. to safeguard the patients and the practice itself ” . A self regulating process the association has adopted for members.
Dr. Fiebai said the membership the association are basically reproductive health practitioners which includes doctors, nurses, lawyers, counsellors, embryologist who registered as members.
He recounted the successes recorded with regulations that guide the practice looks forward to to the adoption of the minimal standards for Assisted Reproductive Treatment (ART) across the states in Nigeria, as Lagos has, expressed optimism that Rivers state will adopt same to help the practice in the state
According to the fourth president of the association since it’s inception in 2002, UPTH interestingly has key officers of the association, with two examiners in the post fellowship specialisation program in the west African college of surgeons, Prof John Ikemalo and Prof Vaduneme Oriji respectively.
Prospectively, the president says the association is looking at, “training others so as to populate our space with people who are competent” . He says “we are capable of carrying out all forms of treatment from the most minute to the most advanced, all it requires is the appropriate environment and provision of the appropriate equipment”.
AFRH registered clinics as published are over 70, and the association is encouraging all ART practitioners in Nigeria to register with AFRH and contribute data for visibility in the world map to improve practice and attract support local and internationally.
