Page 17 - Aspire April -2023 Vol 8 / Issue 2

PHILIPPINES
Issuing a bold challenge to aim for 10,000 IVF cycles annually in the next five years
By Dr Romerico Torres
Country Representative and President of the Philippine Society for Reproductive Medicine
Globally around 2.5 million IVF cycles are being performed annually. According to available data in our region, China leads the way reporting 906,840 cycles in 2016, followed by Japan (458,101 in 2019) and India (250,000 in 2021).
Closer to home, based on available on-line data and information from colleagues, Vietnam performs up to 40,000 cycles per year followed by Thailand (11,717 in 2016), Indonesia (10,000 in 2019) and Singapore (8,700 in 2019).
However, as highlighted in this edition of our newsletter, total birth rates are not adequate for population replacement in some countries in our region.
In the Philippines, our replacement rate is projected to worsen in the future. As our population approaches 114 million, it is estimated that around 5.7 million couples require fertility services and ultimately IVF.
IVF has been performed in our country for more than 20 years. Based on a 2022 survey initiated for ASPIRE, around 4,500 IVF cycles were performed by the eight local fertility clinics.
Looking at the progress with which our ASEAN and Asian neighbours have developed their own assisted reproductive technology landscapes, we have to ask ourselves why we are lagging so far behind?
We can challenge ourselves to go for 10,000 cycles annually in the next five years. How do we get there?
The first response is to increase the number of REI/ ART specialist practitioners and to improve confidence in their practice of assisted reproduction. Three fellowship programs are all in metropolitan Manila where majority of the REI specialists are practicing. I think it makes sense to encourage centres in Visayas (Cebu) and Mindanao (Davao) to establish their own fellowship programs to develop local knowledge and skills.
We need to facilitate the establishment of these programs and ensure that they equip fellowship graduates with credentials to practice IVF independently.
For current practitioners and colleagues new into practice, we will continue to hone skills through ongoing initiatives such as the IVF Series, the Mentor/ Mentee programs and the Local IVF Fellowship Program.
Romerico Torres
I was a
beneficiary of
the Merck Foundation which gave me an opportunity to pursue fellowship training abroad and a Master’s Degree. The Merck Foundation of late has partnered with the PSRM to select suitable candidates for IVF training on offer through affiliate programs.
This is an ongoing partnership, and we look forward to the next batch of applicants. Supporting these efforts are our annual and mid-year conventions and webinars to keep us abreast of latest developments in the field.
We need to increase the number of ART units in the Philippines. To meet demand for 10,000 cycles annually, we need 12 to 15 units which means almost double the number of centres currently operating.
To build public confidence in assisted reproduction, we need key performance indicators that are reported in a manner that is transparent, standardised and universally accepted by all ART centres. This will also generate potential investments in our sector.
The vision of PSRM is to become widely recognised across our region. It will host its first ever international convention through the Asian Congress in Endometriosis in September 2023, and its second in May 2024 with the of ASPIRE Congress in Manila.
The challenges are daunting, but with Dr Songco at the helm with the organising team I am positive we will succeed.
We are grateful and acknowledge our mentors who brought ART to our shores. I now say Let’s Go For 10,000 Cycles. It will be our gift to our mentors and to generations of practitioners and patients to come.
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