The President of Ghana Association of Clinical Embryologists, Mr. Ellis Fleischer-Djoleto has advised couples who have issues with infertility to seek support from specialists.           

Mr. Fleischer-Djoleto noted that infertility was  never absolute,  adding that “Sometimes we use the term sub-fertile because you may be infertile today and the next day or year you will achieve your result.”

Mr. Fleischer-Djoleto was speaking at a public lecture organised by the School of Allied Health Sciences on the theme “Fertility Perception and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Treatment. “According to Mr. Fleischer-Djoleto women below 35 years who have never used contraceptives normally get pregnant without complications.

Embryologists can Manage Infertility

Mr. Fleischer-Djoleto, who is the Clinical Director and Senior Clinical Embryologist at Finney Hospital & Fertility Centre in Accra, noted that Clinical Embryologists have different approaches that could be used to manage infertility namely, Expectant approach, Standard approach and the Active approach.

Describing the active approach, he said it is the fusing of a man’s sperm and a retrieved egg from a woman in a laboratory by an Embryologist to form a reproductive embryo to be transferred into an active or prepared womb of woman”.  Mr. Fleischer-Djoleto explained that the Artificial Active Management approach could be carried on women beyond their menopausal stages and those who have gone through chemotherapy and others who for some reasons have lost their wombs. He gave some examples of the active management approaches as Intra Uterine Insemination (IUI), In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and Intra-cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI).

On the importance of Active Management approach, he noted that the entire procedure was artificial and not 100 per cent guaranteed, however, Embryologists have the technique to assist the reproductive processes; monitor its’ development and make a follow-up. “With Artificial Insemination (AI) technique there is hope for families with infertility problems and couples that need help,” he concluded.

Everyone is at Risk of Experiencing Infertility

On his part, the Vice President, Ghana Association of Clinical Embryologists, Eugene Baah, said everyone was at risk of experiencing infertility problems if certain lifestyles were not stopped. He said old age thus after 35 years, alcohol consumption; smoking, caffeine, abortion, contraceptive use and other illicit drugs could cause infertility.                                                                                                                   

Mr. Baah who is also a Senior Clinical Embryologist, Jubail Specialist Hospital, Sakumono, Accra, therefore, urged people to eat healthy diet adding that “Eat more fruits, nuts, vegetables, oats; and less prepackaged foods, soya product, and warned that microwaved foods, sweets and fried foods should be avoided”. He urged the youth to seek early medical attention when they detect signs of infertility; stop applying and inserting creams and unprescribed drugs; avoid excessive weight loss and excessive weight gain adding that “abortion is not birth control”.

Purpose of the Lecture

The Head of Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Desmond Omane-Acheampong, explained that the lecture was geared towards establishing collaboration between the Department and the Ghana Association of Clinical Embryologists to introduce post graduate programmes in Reproductive Biology.” He indicated that the programme formed part of the Department’s curriculum and it was aimed at exposing students to the realities on the field by professionals.  In addition, he noted that the lecture was held as part of the Department’s plans to introduce new programmes.

Dr. Omane-Acheampong noted that issues of infertility were affecting individuals and family lives; therefore, the Department would soon train people to find a solution to this health condition. He indicated the Department would continue to create awareness on issues of fertility within and outside the University community to assist people to seek treatment.

Present at the lecture were the Dean of the School of Health and Allied Sciences, Prof. Moses Jojo Eghan; Vice Dean, Dr. Isaac Dadzie, lecturers, students and a cross-section of the University Community.