The President of the Association for Fertility and Reproductive Health emphasized that nurses are not authorized to independently provide fertility treatments to patients. They can only assist physicians in this regard. This statement followed the arrest of a fake fertility nurse who defrauded women of a substantial amount of money in Enugu State. The fake nurse had forged certificates to pose as a fertility nurse and scammed over 45 women.
Reports have raised concerns about unregistered fertility clinics in Nigeria, warning of potential harm to women, especially those desperate to conceive. Despite Nigeria’s high fertility rate, recent studies indicate a rise in infertility cases. The World Health Organization reported that globally, about 17.5% of adults face infertility issues, with Nigeria’s Demographic and Health Survey showing significant rates of primary and secondary infertility among married women.
Treatment options for infertility include medication, surgery, and assisted reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilization. The AFRH president stressed in an interview that nurses lack the qualifications to treat infertility independently, urging unqualified individuals to refrain from offering such services. He also highlighted the need for patients to verify the credentials of healthcare professionals before seeking fertility treatments, especially in a country with lax law enforcement.