1. PATRON
Candice Reed
Reproduc/ve benefits in low
resource se9ngs: Uganda
WHO ‐ ICMART‐ LCIVFF/IFFS Interna9onal Mee9ng on
quot; Reproduc9ve Technologies:
Common Terminology and Management in Low‐Resource SeGngs”
Sandra K Dill AM BComm, MLS
PhD Candidate
Coordinator, iCSi Pa9ent Leader Network
Chair, Assisted Concep9on Taskforce
Board member, IAPO
CEO: Access Australia
Australia’s Na,onal Voice
Pa,ents as equal partners
2. Childlessness:
loss of security & hope
The invisibility of the loss ‐ the s9gma
Loss of hope (Murray, 2002)
Leaves infer9le people with a sense of
decreased security in their world.
(Dyregrov and MaGesen, 1987)
“Give me children, or I shall die!”
(Rachel, Genesis 30:2)
Australia’s Na,onal Voice
Pa,ents as equal partners
4. www.icsi.ws/regional alliances
Using the strength of an alliance
to bring infertility issues to
governments in each world
region.
Together we are stronger!
Australia’s Na,onal Voice
Pa,ents as equal partners
5. World’s highest
prevalence of
infertility
Sub-Saharan Africa: up to 1/3 of couples infertile
Australia’s Na,onal Voice
Pa,ents as equal partners
8. “Infer9lity should be recognized as a
public health issue worldwide,
including developing countries.”
Australia’s Na,onal Voice
Pa,ents as equal partners
10. Childlessness: Uganda
Couples live in isola9on, under s9gma, and
fear.
Society judges them irresponsible and a curse.
Live insecurely within the family unit –
polygamy /abandonment.
Community ostracism.
Witch doctors abuse.
Always expected to give but not to receive.
Australia’s Na,onal Voice
Pa,ents as equal partners
(Rita Sembuya, Uganda for Joyce FerAlity Support & African InferAlity Alliance)
11. Margaret’s story
My husband told me I was useless.
No other man will accept a useless woman
like me.
When you are barren you are useless.
(27 yr old Margaret, 3 months aHer husband deserted her)
Australia’s Na,onal Voice
Pa,ents as equal partners
16. Challenges
Poor public awareness about human reproduc9on
or family planning
High fer9lity rate
Govt unaware of high prevalence of infer9lity
Most women have NO control over sex
High HIV+ rate
Cultural/educa9on barriers – high illiteracy
Ministry of Health infrastructure:
Compe9ng demands when ra9oning very, very,
very, very, very, very scarce resources.
Australia’s Na,onal Voice
Pa,ents as equal partners
18. Low cost IVF – part
of the solu9on.
Laparoscopes + trng
“I could sell that to the
Ministry”.
Asst Commissioner of Health: Paul Kagwa
Australia’s Na,onal Voice
Pa,ents as equal partners
20. Opportuni/es
Exchange programs to train local doctors in
public hospitals
Training for embryologist
Assistance seGng up quality lab
Public awareness educa9on to understand
and encourage use of family planning
Public awareness targeted at male pop. to
educate men about condom use to protect
female fer9lity.
Australia’s Na,onal Voice
Pa,ents as equal partners
21. Benefits
Allevia/ng significant human suffering;
Easing social isola9on for women
Improving women’s and men’s health
Easing tensions in family real9onships
Reducing demand in public health sector
for tmt of tubal disease.
Reducing HIV+
Building capacity in public health sector as
more graduates choose infer9lity as sub
speciality.
Australia’s Na,onal Voice
Pa,ents as equal partners
22. Mahmoud Fathalla:
“There is power in partnership, between
ac9ve consumers and professionals,
and this power can be used in advocacy”.
Australia’s Na,onal Voice
Pa,ents as equal partners
23. Stability and growth
Health Governments
professionals
Pa/ents/
consumers
Industry
Community
Partners
Equity of access Pa9ent autonomy Reproduc9ve freedom
and medical responsibility with use of public funds
Australia’s Na,onal Voice
Pa,ents as equal partners
24. Together we can!
Patients and patients’ organizations
working in partnership with:
health professionals,
industry partners and
WHO and govt policy-makers,
To provide equity of access for our
brothers and sisters in Uganda to help them
achieve their dream of having a family.
Australia’s Na,onal Voice
Pa,ents as equal partners
