A fertility specialist, Dr Aisha Abubakar-Adebiyi, has called for greater openness around infertility, warning that many couples continue to suffer in silence because of stigma, misconceptions and fear of public judgment.
Speaking during a World IVF Day discussion on News Central TV’s Breakfast Xtra, the reproductive health expert said infertility remains a common medical condition that affects millions of people globally, yet conversations around it are often avoided. She explained that many couples wrongly attribute fertility challenges to spiritual attacks, personal failure or shame, delaying medical evaluation and treatment.
Dr Abubakar-Adebiyi stressed that infertility should be approached as a health issue rather than a source of embarrassment, noting that advances in reproductive medicine, including in vitro fertilisation (IVF), have enabled many individuals and couples to pursue parenthood where conventional conception has proved difficult. Brandspur Brand News reports that she urged families and communities to replace judgment with support while encouraging affected couples to seek professional medical advice early.
Her comments coincide with World IVF Day, observed annually on July 25 to commemorate the birth of Louise Brown, the world’s first baby conceived through IVF in 1978. The global awareness event highlights progress in assisted reproductive technology while promoting greater understanding of infertility and access to fertility care.
According to the World Health Organization, infertility affects approximately one in six people during their reproductive years, making it a significant global public health concern. The organisation says infertility can result from male factors, female factors, a combination of both, or remain unexplained, underscoring the importance of timely diagnosis and evidence-based treatment rather than stigma or misinformation.
Health experts have continued to advocate for improved awareness, affordable fertility services and stronger emotional support systems for people experiencing infertility, arguing that breaking the culture of silence is essential to ensuring more couples receive appropriate care and treatment.
