Tema: Dr Winfred Korletey Baah, Registrar of the Health Facility Regulatory Agency (HeFRA), has announced that the agency is working on specific tools to regulate the services of fertility centres in Ghana. Dr Baah revealed this during the annual general meeting and scientific conference of the Fertility Society of Ghana (FERSOG) in Tema. The event focused on 'Reducing the Burden of Infertility in Ghana: Prevention, Fertility, Awareness and Preservation.'
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr Baah stated that HeFRA is in the process of developing specific inspection tools and licenses tailored for fertility centres in Ghana. Currently, these centres are licensed under the broader category of obstetrics and gynaecology specialist clinics. He emphasized the unique intersection of medicine, technology, and ethics that fertility centres represent, necessitating the development of specialized regulatory tools.
Dr Baah highlighted the sophistication of assisted reproductive technology services, which now include organ donation, noting that "sperm and ovaries are organs; therefore, there is a need to put together special tools to regulate that space." The forthcoming licensing and inspection tools aim to establish regulatory benchmarks addressing laboratory standards, infection prevention, data security, ethical governance, quality management systems, and the appointment of clinical staff.
He assured that HeFRA would collaborate with FERSOG and its members to shape the regulatory framework, leveraging their expertise and scientific insights to ensure a world-class tool. Dr Baah also urged members to focus on education regarding infertility, responsible lifestyle choices, and accessible screening, aligning with public health concerns.
He reiterated HeFRA's mandate under the Health Institutions and Facilities Act, 2011 (Act 829), to ensure all health facilities in Ghana, both public and private, meet the required standards for quality and safe care.
