By Luminous Jannamike & Folarin Kehinde

ABUJA — The Joje Abebe Health Foundation says cost remains the main reason many Nigerian couples are unable to access fertility treatment.

John Abebe, President of the organisation, spoke at a press conference in Abuja.

“The greatest challenge, the greatest barrier to patients being able to afford fertility care is the cost. If we are able to overcome the cost and make fertility care more accessible, many more couples will move from barrenness to parenthood,” he said.

He noted that IVF procedures currently cost between N3.5 million and N4.5 million in many clinics and expressed doubt that the treatment would receive government funding in Nigeria.

“Infertility is a private issue. Even major health challenges are mostly funded personally. I don’t see government stepping in to fund IVF treatments,” Abebe said.

The organisation, however, added that advances in medical technology mean infertility can be treated cost-effectively in many cases.