The Dubai Gynaecology & Fertility Centre is a regional centre for ASSISTED REPRODUCTION and a leading Gulf Centre for infertility treatment.
The Centre was set up by Prof. Ian Craft, a pioneer in Assisted Reproduction Treatments, and the Department of Health & Medical Services, under the leadership of H.H Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. It was a means of bringing the latest techniques in fertility management to couples in the U.A.E and the GCC region. Since 1991, the Centre has seen couples from the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe. It is a fully equipped clinic, operating independently within the Department of Health & Medical Services of Dubai, U.A.E. Infertility treatment is aimed at increasing the chances of successful conception. The natural chance of conceiving is about 20% per month, and for infertile couples, it is considerably less. All assisted conception treatments aim to restore this chance of conceiving and in some cases achieve a ‘better’ result than nature.
This information has been prepared to inform couples about the fertility treatments available at the Centre. This will hopefully provide a comprehensive guide to the various, often complex, regimes of treatment.
HISTORY
The Dubai Gynaecology & Fertility Centre is a collaborative venture between the Department of Health & Medical Services, Government of Dubai and the London Fertility Centre.
In early 1990, the then Director General of the Department of Health & Medical Services, Dr Juma Belhoul, under the directives of H.H.Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Department of Health & Medical Services, and Professor Ian Craft, Director of London Fertility Centre, were in contact with the aim of setting up a fertility programme to assist the U.A.E. and neighbouring countries. The location chosen for the Centre was the unused VIP delivery suite situated in the grounds of Rashid Hospital.
The objective of the Centre was to locally provide specialised fertility and gynaecological services comparable to those found in the West, thereby avoiding the inconveniences experienced by residents of the Gulf countries travelling overseas for treatments.
The DG&FC opened for consultation on the 7th of July 1991, and to date over 10,000 couples have been consulted for fertility, gynaecology or obstetric care.
H.H.Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum officially opened the Centre on 29th February 1992.
Prof. Craft although a resident of the U.K visits Dubai regularly and is directly involved in patient care. The resident medical team is headed by Dr Husnia Gargash, Director, with Dr Pankaj Shrivastav, Deputy Director and Dr Wael A. Ismail Madkour, Consultant Gynaecologist.
In September 1991 the operating theatre, fully equipped with the latest equipment was commissioned and shortly thereafter InVitro Fertilisation (IVF) and Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer (GIFT) procedures were commenced resulting in the birth of the first babies in June 1992.
In addition, another highly advanced treatment Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) commenced in September 1993 with great success. This treatment has allowed us to offer new hope to men who would normally not be able to father children. Research conducted at the Centre itself led to the addition of the techniques such as Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (PESA) and Testicular Sperm Aspiration (TeSA).The worlds first babies conceived from sperm recovered by PESA were born to a U.A.E. couple in 1993.
To date we are delighted to report that over 1200 babies have been born as a result of fertility treatments at the Centre and many more are awaiting delivery. One of the advanced services that our laboratory offers is sperm and embryo freezing. Over 5000 embryos have been frozen to date, and several babies have been born following frozen embryo transfer.
Success rates for all fertility treatments fluctuate. However, at present, our results (for women under 38 years of age) are comparable (in some cases higher) with those of some of the most recognized Fertility Centre in Europe and the United States.
Annual statistics for year 2000
GIFT 33%
IVF 36%
ICSI 32%
Besides the complicated assisted reproduction treatments, the Centre also does Artificial Insemination (AI) and Ovulation Induction (OI). The Centre also specialises in carrying out the Nuchal Translucency scan and amniocentesis screening for high-risk pregnancies.
Our team of doctors are trained in operative laparoscopy and hysteroscopy, and ultrasound guided surgical procedures. They are actively involved in local and Regional Continuing Medical Education programmes and are frequently lecturing in the UAE, Gulf Region, etc. They regularly attend international seminars where the latest medical developments and techniques are introduced and discussed.This makes international expertise available locally at the Centre.
Centrally located in the Rashid Hospital grounds near the Maktoum Bridge, the Centre is managed by a hand-picked team of qualified and experienced medical professionals.The Centre is equipped with state-of-art-technology equipment in the operating theatre, laboratory and ultrasound. The patient relation team consists of Arabic and English speaking staff, catering to different cultural needs. High regard is given to patient confidentiality and understanding that the whole process of fertility treatment can be very stressful.
Our Centre’s objective is to give patients first priority in every respect and provide quality ethical care and best service at all times. Members of staff function as a team to continually meet and exceed the needs and expectations of patients to ensure maximum satisfaction in all aspects of care and service.
"Our aim it to provide a caring, and comprehensive service of the highest standard using the newest techniques of fertility treatment, to suit the specific requirements of individual couples in a flexible manner and in a friendly environment"