Dubai: The first fertility centre was opened yesterday in Ras Al Khaimah at RAK Hospital, in collaboration with the Bourn Hall Fertility Centre. The two entities will collaborate to provide comprehensive fertility services in Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah
The collaboration will ensure top-of-the-line In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) consultancy and intervention at the doorstep of RAK residents who had to travel to other emirates for fertility treatments earlier. The clinic primarily provides IVF consultation along with the medical management of genetic disorders, such as genetic screening to avoid hereditary diseases.
At least one in four couples in the UAE face infertility issues due to genetic disorders, poor sperm or egg quality, diabetes, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and other chronic diseases which increase the chances of infertility. Moreover, according to the UAE Genetic Diseases Association (UAE GDA), there could be 400 types of genetic diseases prevalent in the UAE, including thalassaemia, sickle-cell anaemia, cystic fibrosis and Down’s syndrome. Genetic testing is the key to improving the quality of genes in a society where consanguineous marriages are common, and identifying the faulty gene further helps in the success rate of IVF.
Commenting on the partnership, Dr Raza Siddiqui, CEO, Arabian Healthcare Group and Executive Director at RAK Hospital said: “The collaboration promises the residents high-end services that RAK Hospital is known for, combined with British expertise and experience of the world’s first IVF clinic, where the world’s first IVF baby was born. This was a need of the hour since many couples had to travel to Sharjah and Dubai for fertility services. RAK Hospital has bridged that gap nicely. We hope this will provide further convenience to couples in Ras Al Khaimah and nearby emirates like Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah”.
The fertility clinic, due to its strategic placement within the hospital, will also serve as a one-stop-solution for couples looking for treatment of chronic ailments to help increase the chances of fertility.
Hoda Abou Jamra, Group CEO at Bourn Hall International, added: “We are proud to bring Bourn Hall Fertility Centre to the heart of Ras Al Khaimah, partnering with RAK Hospital, which is known for its clinical expertise and technological advancements. Bourn Hall Clinic is the oldest and most experienced IVF clinic globally where the first IVF baby was born 40 years ago, which is evidence of our world-class service. The clinic in Ras Al Khaimah will have an IVF doctor visiting three times a week and we promise to uphold the quality of standard and protocol that makes the centre a trustworthy name across the world.”
