Merck, together with the Philippine Society of Reproductive
Endocrinology and Infertility (PSREI) today announced a series of
awareness-building initiatives to foster greater understanding of infertility
among Filipinos. The information campaign was embarked upon to commemorate
Fertility Awareness Month in August, which recognizes the growing population of
Filipino couples who are finding it difficult to conceive.
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| Dr. Gio Barangan, Medical Director, Merck Philippines |
“With the observance of Fertility Awareness Month, Merck,
together with PSREI aim to help childless Filipino couples to learn more about
their condition and to realize that there are solutions to the challenge that
they face,” said Dr. Gio Barangan, Medical Director, Merck Philippines. “It is
also an opportunity for them to meet couples who were successful in their
fertility treatment, so that they can gain confidence in the country’s pool of
fertility experts and treatment facilities and thereby remain hopeful in
starting a family.”
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| IVF specialist Dr. Anthony Marc Ancheta |
Part of the efforts being undertaken to raise awareness on
fertility issues are to provide free seminars to patients that will help
increase their understanding of the symptoms and causes of infertility. Conducted
by local fertility experts from the PSREI, the seminars will also give patients
hope by educating on methods to improve fertility as well as options for
treatment.
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| Philippine Society of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (PSREI) President Dr. Rudie Frederick Mendiola |
Results from a 2011 Merck-commissioned study by Synovate
estimates that 1 in 10 Filipinos are infertile, yet a vast majority of them
will struggle in silence, due in part to the shame associated with the infertility,
but mainly because many couples do not understand the condition.
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| IVF specialist Dr. Anthony Marc Ancheta with his successful patients, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Miranda, and PSREI President Dr. Rudie Frederick Mendiola |
The awareness efforts are expected to create an impact on
couples’ attitude towards infertility, such that they overcome embarrassment
and see the urgency of seeking medical assistance. It is imperative that
misconceptions are corrected and that any immediate treatment procedures may be
done at the soonest -- particularly for older couples.
