New fertility clinic wins NHRA’s nod

A NEWLY-ACCREDITED fertility clinic at a public hospital aims to treat 200 couples in the first year, it has been revealed.

The in vitro fertilisation (IVF) centre at the King Hamad University Hospital (KHUH) – the second such facility in the country after the one at the BDF Hospital – has been accredited by the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA).

According to KHUH consultant obstetrics and gynaecology, IVF and laparoscopic surgery professor Dr Hosni Malas, the centre is equipped with the most modern support system and qualified professional staff.

“We offer full investigation of couples and a full range of treatment,” Prof Dr Malas told the GDN yesterday.

“Services also include pre-conception advice and counselling, ovulation induction and cycle monitoring, intra-uterine insemination, IVF, assisted hatching, testicular sperm extraction, gametes preservation (sperms and eggs), testicular biopsy, embryo freezing and chromosomal analysis, among others.

“We hope to treat an estimated 200 couples in the first year with numbers to be increased in the coming years,” added Prof Dr Malas, who is also the director of the centre.

The centre has three embryologists and other nursing and support staff.

NHRA chief executive Dr Maryam Al Jalahma told the GDN that the new centre will increase the options for patients to avail of such services in Bahrain as the country gears up to roll out its national insurance plan, Sehati (My Health), which was originally to be rolled out in 2019.

“KHUH is the second government facility in the country to provide IVF treatment,” she said, adding that her team completed the inspections and reviews in accordance with the law that governs this type of treatment in the country.

“It included the inspection of the facility and professionals who come under the law.

“The centre’s details were also reviewed by the NHRA’s committee responsible for this segment of the health care and the centre has met all required standards, based on which the approval was granted.”

Meanwhile, KHUH Commander Major General Dr Shaikh Salman bin Attiyatallah Al Khalifa reiterated the efficiency of the centre, which he said was founded on “privacy, accuracy and safety” during all stages of treatment.

“The centre is equipped with the latest scientific devices, modern technologies and treatment protocols available in this field, which include medical techniques for artificial insemination and fertilisation in the unit,” he said in a statement.

Source: https://www.gdnonline.com/Details/965425/New-fertility-clinic-wins-NHRA%E2%80%99s-nod