• Global warming, stress, dietary habits, late child bearing, lifestyle problems attributed to high infertility incidences in Kenya.
• Other causing factors include pelvic inflammatory disease and overuse of contraceptives.
Image: AGATHA NGOTHO
Infertility incidences in Kenya have increased over the years due to lifestyle change and global warming.
Dr Shaunak Khandwala, a clinical director at Fertility Point said this is besides the already existing problems such as pelvic inflammatory disease and overuse of contraceptives.
Other factors are environmental, stress, dietary habits, late child bearing and lifestyle problems.
“The incidences have gone up among child bearing age in East Africa, and one in every five couples need active infertility management,” Khandwala said.
The in vitro fertilisation specialist told the Star that there is a need to have more IVF centres to address the high demand for fertility management issues.
There are about 15 to 20 active/subactive IVF centres in Kenya today against the increasing demand and high population.
India has 5,000 IVF centres despite its huge population of about 1.5 billion people.
“Kenya is a medical hub for East Africa and to some extent, North of West Africa. So if you consider the population that requires infertility management and the incidence of infertility which is rising, then we should have about 50 to 100 IVF centres,” Khandwala said.
He said they are seeking to make advanced fertility treatments accessible across Africa and expanding and opening up other centres in Parklands, Kisumu and Mombasa.
“By expanding our reach, we aim to provide hope and support to individuals and couples struggling with infertility," Khandwala said.
The infertility expert has more than 20 years of experience and more over 50,000 successful cases to his credit.
“We understand the challenges and emotional toll of infertility. That's why we have designed our centres to prioritise patient convenience and comfort. Our team is dedicated to guide patients through every step of their fertility journey, from diagnosis to treatment and beyond,” he said.
Infertility is a disease of the male or female reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sex.
WHO says infertility affects millions of people and has an impact on their families and communities.
"Estimates suggest that approximately one in every six people of reproductive age worldwide experience infertility in their lifetime,” WHO says.
Khandwala urged the medical fraternity to conduct a lot of sensitisation on infertility to educate patients.
The National Infertility Awareness Week end on Saturday.
“There is a stigma on infertility and people do not want to reveal if they are receiving or have received IVF treatment,” he said.
Khandwala cautioned against abuse or overuse of contraceptives and early pregnancy in substandard hospitals.
He said this may lead to pelvic inflammatory disease or septic abortion.
Septic abortion is spontaneous or induced abortion that is complicated by severe uterine infection.
“That abortion can ruin the reproductive system of the woman because the infection can destroy the lining of the uterus and further block or damage the fallopian tube,” Khandwala said.
“Infertility is a stigma but also a health disorder which needs to be treated. There are many ways to address the issue besides IVF. These include medication, ovulation induction or counseling.”