FG urged to add fertility care to health insurance
Dr. Ibrahim Wada, Chief Consultant Gynecologist and CEO of Nisa Premier Medical Group, has called on the federal government to include fertility treatment in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), saying infertility remains a major challenge for Nigerian families. Wada, who spoke on Saturday during Nisa Premier Hospital’s Infertility Awareness Walk 2025 in Abuja, said […]
Dr. Ibrahim Wada, Chief Consultant Gynecologist and CEO of Nisa Premier Medical Group, has called on the federal government to include fertility treatment in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), saying infertility remains a major challenge for Nigerian families.
Wada, who spoke on Saturday during Nisa Premier Hospital’s Infertility Awareness Walk 2025 in Abuja, said one out of six couples struggles with infertility, and the cost of treatment is often beyond the reach of the average Nigerian.
“Fertility solutions are expensive and beyond the pocket of the common man. We cannot have a health service that only covers malaria and minor illnesses while leaving out couples who need fertility care,” he said.
He explained that infertility is not a women’s issue alone, as men are equally affected. “Our experience over the last 30 years shows that infertility affects men as much as it affects women. The old belief that it is a woman’s problem should be discarded,” he added.
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Wada condemned illegal adoption practices and child trafficking, stressing the need for stronger laws. “The law must be strengthened to ensure no one exploits families dealing with infertility,” he noted.
He advised couples, especially those marrying after age 35, to undergo early fertility checks. “There’s no need to wait for 12 months before seeking advice if you marry late or have had previous reproductive surgeries,” he explained.
On Saturday, Nisa Premier Hospital flagged off its 2025 Infertility Awareness Week with a sensitisation walk from the hospital to Jabi Lake Mall, where free medical consultations were provided. The sensitisation week will run until August 2, 2025.
Dr. Esther Emeka-Irem, Consultant Obstetrician, Gynecologist and Head of IVF at Nisa Premier Hospital, said no family should live without the joy of children in their homes. “No matter the situation, there is always a solution. Infertility is not a sickness,” she said.
Emeka-Irem noted that late marriages, poor health-seeking behaviour, and untreated infections remain major causes of infertility in Nigeria. “Many couples marry late, and by the time they seek medical checks, ovarian reserves are depleted, making natural conception difficult. Assisted reproductive treatments like IVF become necessary,” she added.
She said IVF in Nigeria is cheaper compared to Western countries, costing between ₦3 million and ₦4 million, compared to over $10,000 abroad. “Since our first IVF baby in 1996, we have recorded over 5,000 live births,” she noted.