FERTILITY CRISIS DEMANDS ACCESS, AWARENESS

Fertility care is becoming more effective but the gap between what’s scientifically possible and what’s accessible must be bridged

- BY AHMED FADL | Special to Gulf News

In the UAE and around the world, declining fertility rates are prompting both the public and private sectors to act. Lifestyle shifts, delayed family planning, and increasing health conditions like obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are contributing to lower birth rates. At the same time, social taboos and misinformation continue to delay early conversations around fertility, with many couples seeking help later than is ideal.

The desire to start a family may be universal, yet infertility affects one in six couples in the UAE. This is a complex challenge that goes beyond access to treatment. It’s about creating an ecosystem that supports early education, reduces stigma, and empowers people to make informed decision about their reproductive health.