Affordable assisted reproductive technologies in developing countries: pros and cons

¹ Correspondence address. E-mail: akandewole{at}yahoo.com Infertility in developing countries is pervasive and a seriousconcern. In addition to the personal grief and suffering itcauses, the inability to have children especially in poor communitiescan create broader problems, particularly for the woman. Infertilityservices in developing countries span the spectrum from preventionto treatment. From a societal and public health standpoint,prevention is cost–effective and is considered by manygovernments and public health care providers to be a priorityfor service delivery. While prevention remains paramount, takenalone it ignores the plight of infertile couples, includingthose with non-infectious causes of infertility. Two key argumentsare frequently used to challenge the development of new reproductivetechnologies in developing countries: overpopulation and limitedresources. Evidence supports the conclusion that there is acompelling need for infertility treatment beyond prevention.In many instances, assisted reproductive technologies (ART)are the last hope or the only means to achieve a child for couples.In an effort to make much needed ART to developing countriesaccessible and affordable, developing countries should lookto public–private partnerships. Governments have a responsibilityto ensure safe and effective services including the controlof standards for clinical procedures and the regulation of professionalpractice.