The World Health Organisation (WHO) says one in six people worldwide are affected by infertility.
Infertility is a reproductive condition that
affects both men and women and is defined by the failure to achieve a pregnancy
after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.
A report on Tuesday, April 4 signed by WHO
Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, analyzed all relevant studies on
infertility from 1990 to 2021. The report revealed that 17.5% of the adult
population experience infertility in their lifetime, with rates being
"comparable" for high, middle, and low-income countries.
Ghebreyesus stated, "The report reveals
an important truth – infertility does not discriminate. The sheer proportion of
people affected shows the need to widen access to fertility care and ensure
this issue is no longer sidelined in health research and policy so that safe,
effective and affordable ways to attain parenthood are available."
The report also revealed that despite the
prevalence of infertility, diagnosis and treatment, such as in vitro
fertilization (IVF), remain underfunded.
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