A doctor from Burkina Faso is helping transform infertility care in his home country after undergoing advanced IVF training at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), highlighting the growing global impact of India’s medical education initiatives.
Dr. Paul Kouraogo, one of the latest international trainees among thirteen, under the “Merck More Than a Mother” initiative of the Merck Foundation, returned home equipped with skills in embryology and assisted reproductive technologies, expertise that remains scarce in many parts of Africa.
“In my country, couples suffer in silence. We lacked both infrastructure and trained professionals,” said Dr. Kouraogo at a certification ceremony held in Manipal on Monday.
Infertility continues to carry significant social stigma, particularly for women, often leading to isolation and discrimination. Addressing this, Dr HS Ballal, Pro Chancellor of MAHE, stressed the importance of education in breaking such barriers. “Empowering women through knowledge is key to overcoming the stigma associated with infertility and advancing gender equality,” he said.
Highlighting the need for compassionate care, the Vice Chancellor designate Dr Sharath Rao noted that technical expertise alone is not sufficient. “Ethics, morality, and empathy must guide infertility treatment to ensure patients feel supported throughout their journey,” he said.
Experts also emphasized the importance of holistic counselling in fertility care. Dr Giridhar Kini pointed out that trained professionals must not only deliver quality treatment but also guide patients on alternative pathways such as adoption.
‘The MAHE program has trained over 300 clinicians, embryologists, and paramedical professionals from developing regions in Africa and Asia, many of whom are now establishing fertility services in previously underserved areas’ said the coordinator of the program Dr Satish Adiga.
The initiative, a collaboration between MAHE and the Merck Foundation, is steadily expanding its footprint across Africa and Asia, aiming to bridge critical gaps in reproductive healthcare.
For Dr. Kouraogo, the mission goes beyond medicine. “I want to build not just a clinic, but hope,” he said, reflecting the aspirations of thousands of couples who may finally have access to fertility care.
0 ಕಾಮೆಂಟ್ಗಳು