Free fertility treatment for all Emirati couples

UAE Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Amal initiative, which will provide fertility treatment free of cost to Emirati couples from now on.

The initiative was announced on Wenesday at the Dubai Health Authority Head Quarters by Essa al Maidour, Director General of Dubai Health Authority.

The initiative is part of the Dubai Gynaecology and Fertility Centre’s (DGFC) efforts to ensure more women facing infertility are provided with treatment without having to worry about the cost of treatment. The fertility treatment normally costs between Dh22,000-26,000.

DHA expects to reach out to 400-500 Emirati couples per year, said Al Maidour. "There are couples who cannot have babies and this can cause great depression. Some of these people cannot afford fertility treatment. We are trying to help these people.

"Starting a family is an inportant part of getting settled, especially for young people."
 
The leading cause of infertility among Emirati women is the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), said Dr. Awatif Bahar, Director at DFGC.
 
According to a study conducted by the DGFC more than 60 per cent of the women who consulted the center with conceiving problems were diagnosed with PCOS.
 
"This can be attributed to lifestyle choices as well as stress," indicated Dr. Awatif.
 
"Being overweight is one of the common contributors and a common problem in the Gulf. Many people do not have a healthy diet; they eat a lot of junk food and gulp down fizzy drinks. Added to that is a lack of physical exercise," explained Dr. Mohamad al Kalyoubi at the DGFC earlier.
 
The treatment will be provided to couples regardless of the cause of infertility, which can root from the male or the female.
 
The centre was founded in 1991 and is expected to expand.

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