United Arab Emirates, Dubai, January 16, 2013: The Dubai Health Authority's (DHAs) Dubai Gynaecology and Fertility Centre(DGFC) took part today in the DHA's smart clinic to discuss infertility problems and treatment methods.

Doctors advocated the need for couples who are concerned about fertility issues to come forward at the earliest, as early detection and management significantly improves medical outcomes.

Dr Wael Madkour, endocrinology and infertility consultant at the Dubai Gynaecology and Fertility Centre, said: " If a couple have been trying to conceive for over a year, they should visit an infertility specialist, however if they feel anxious or if they are aware of some underlying problems that they have, they should meet a specialist at the earliest."

He said the chances of pregnancy reduces with advancement in the woman's age and therefore it is best to approach a specialist sooner than later. "The average success rate of all infertility treatments is 55 per cent."

He said since the inception of DGFC in 1991, the centre has treated 19,000 couples. "Over the years, we have seen an increase in infertility problems, but this is a global trend. At the same time, there have been tremendous advances in medicine. For instance, the oldest woman at our centre to have a baby through IVF was 44 years old"

He said lifestyle changes, late marriage, obesity and smoking are some of the contributing factors for infertility problems.

He said male to female ratio in terms of as cause of infertility is 50:50. "This shows a shift from female predominance which was the case earlier. Presently, we see 50 per cent of infertility problems, if not more, are due to problems with the male partner."

He said the main cause of male infertility is decrease in quality or quantity of sperm and for women the main reasons are problems with ovulation such as polycystic ovaries, tube defects and uterine defects.

He said age is a parameter but not a cause for infertility and that presently the average age of women patients at the centre is 35 years.

He said the other contributing factors for infertility are smoking, obesity, medical disorders such as uncontrolled diabetes etc.

He said to improve outcomes for fertility treatments, couples should follow a healthy lifestyle and women should exercise on a regular basis. " Which strenuous exercise isn't recommended, moderate exercise for 30 to 45 minutes, three times a week is essential as it helps reduce stress and improve blood circulation." He said once women begin treatment, they can consult their infertility specialist with regard to duration and intensity of exercise.

He reiterated that infertility should not be considered taboo and that there are several medical alternatives available to help couples conceive.

About the Dubai Health Authority:

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) was created, in June 2007, by Law 13 issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, with an expanded vision to include strategic oversight for the complete health sector in Dubai and enhance private sector engagement. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance is the President of the Dubai Health Authority and His Excellency Engineer Essa Al Maidoor is the Director-General of the DHA.

The DHA's aim in Dubai is to provide an accessible, effective and integrated healthcare system, protect public health and improve the quality of life within the Emirate. This is a direct translation of the objectives of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Keeping the strategic plan in mind, the DHA's mission is to ensure access to health services, maintain and improve the quality of these services, improve the health status of nationals, residents and visitors and oversee a dynamic, efficient and innovative health sector.

In addition to overseeing the health sector for the Emirate of Dubai, the DHA also focuses on providing services through DHA healthcare facilities including hospitals (Latifa, Dubai, Rashid and Hatta), specialty centres (e.g. the Dubai Diabetes Center) and DHA primary health centres spread throughout the Emirate of Dubai.

The main pillars of service delivery at DHA health facilities are quality, efficiency, patients and staff.  It is our aim to maintain and improve the quality and efficiency of DHA health services. An important aspect of the service delivery strategy is to focus on patients, their needs and satisfaction as well as attract, retain, nurture and support outstanding staff.

Prior to the establishment of the DHA, the Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS), which was established in 1973, was the functioning authority that almost exclusively focused on health service delivery.

© Press Release 2014