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THE POPULARITY
This drive in the demand for
fertility treatments, suggests
Dr. Robertson, is helped by
the regulatory bodies in the
UAE who mandate strict
protocols on the quality of care
to ensure patients are always
in the best of hands. “We have
experienced doctors, state-
of-the-art facilities and world
class technology in the fields
of embryology and fertility
treatments,” he points out.
THE TREATMENTS
AND CARE
In terms of prolonged
treatments requiring a longer
duration, how are these
patients managing? The duration
of the IVF or IUI treatment can
last between three to four weeks,
explains Dr. Robertson. “For a
couple seeking IVF, the woman
usually stays for the duration of
the treatment since she needs
to take medications and have
routine blood tests taken,” he says
while the husband can come just
for the egg and sperm collection
procedure, and doesn’t need to be
there during the whole treatment.
FORWARD THINKING
The UAE, explains Dr. Robertson,
has been very forward thinking
and protective of patients as
there are very strict regulations
for embryologists and doctors
With Dubai gaining a
strong foothold in many
facets of medical tourism,
Dr. Robertson explains
that typically, 10 percent
of the patients they see
are overseas tourists.
“We’ve recently seen
an increase in people
coming from Nigeria,
India, and Oman,” he
tells. “The IVF (In-Vitro
Fertilization) package
is our most popular
treatment for medical
tourists, followed by
genetic screening.”
Fertility
Treatments in UAE
Surge Thanks to
Medical Tourism
HEALTH speaks with Dr. David Robertson, Group Medical
Director and IVF Consultant, Bourn Hall Fertility Clinic
who reveals why so many couples are travelling to
Dubai for fertility treatments.
16
Jul/Aug 2016