Accra: The Fertility Society of Ghana (FERSOG) has called on Ghana to officially recognize infertility as a disease at its 2025 annual general meeting and scientific conference. This aligns with the World Health Organization's designation of infertility as a disease, which FERSOG believes should be mirrored in national health policies.
According to Ghana News Agency, the three-day conference was themed 'Reducing the Burden of Infertility in Ghana: Prevention, Fertility, Awareness and Preservation.' Dr. Rudolph K. Adageba, President of FERSOG, highlighted the current lack of coverage for infertility treatments under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). He stated that couples undergoing medical interventions must pay out of pocket for services like consultations, hormone profiling, and in vitro fertilization (IVF). Dr. Adageba emphasized the need for NHIS to cover these services to prevent what he described as an injustice.
FERSOG plans to engage with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to establish realistic fees for infertility services. Dr. Adageba announced that FERSOG would draft a position paper to be submitted to NHIA and other stakeholders, urging immediate action to address what he termed discrimination against Ghanaians undergoing fertility treatment.
The conference also acknowledged the historical introduction of IVF Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) in Ghana, celebrating Tema as the birthplace of IVF in the country. FERSOG posthumously honored Dr. Joe Mainoo, the pioneer of IVF in Ghana, who introduced the technology under challenging circumstances. A plaque commemorating Dr. Mainoo was unveiled at Pro Vita in Tema, the site where Ghana's first IVF baby was delivered in October 1995.
Dr. Mark Kurt Nawaane, Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, noted that infertility affects 15 to 20 percent of couples desiring children, approaching epidemic proportions. He highlighted the misconception that undergoing fertility treatment implies wealth, as many Ghanaians cannot afford the associated costs.
Madam Seyram Alhassan, former Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, emphasized the importance of shifting national discourse on infertility from crisis management to proactive education and from stigma to scientific intervention. Other speakers at the conference echoed the need for accessible fertility services and regulations to govern ART services, noting Ghana's status as a hub for infertility treatment centers.
