Stakeholders Urge Lagos Assembly To Amend Proposed Bill On Human Fertilisation, Surrogacy

Stakeholders in the health sector in Lagos State have taskes the State House of Assembly  on Human Fertilisation and Surrogacy Regulatory Bill being considered by the lawmakers.

Speaking on Wednesday at a public hearing held in the Assembly on a bill to regulate human fertilization and surrogacy procedure and practice, the stakeholders said that there is a need for the inclusion of the Association of Fertility Reproductive Health opinions in the drafting of the bill.

In his contribution, Professor Oladapo Ashiru said the process of providing In vitro fertilization (IVF) services in Lagos State started in 1979/1980. “We went all over the world and did many types of research and we have perfected the process.

“I am the Secretary of the Society of Fertility and Reproductive Health Experts. The terminology used in the bill is wrong. We used Assisted Reproductive Technology. I feel sad that the document was produced without the input of the Association of Fertility Reproductive Health expert,” he said.

Ashiru stated that the bill cannot stand the test of time if passed into law.  The professor, who condemned some terms used in the bill, said the laws passed by the Senate and the Houses of Assembly are meant to address issues, and that the technicality is left to the experts.

“We have a whole document on Assisted Reproductive Technology, (ART). The committee should look at what exists in the state and improve on it. The present law, in its present form l, should be stepped down.”

On her part, Mrs Toyin Lolu Ogunmade, who got twins from surrogacy, shared her story of how she could not conceive as a result of fibroid.

She said, “I had to contract a surrogate mother because I couldn't conceive a child because I had fibroid. At that time, nobody wanted to do surrogacy for me and there was no way I could get a family member or friend to do it.

“I waited for 12 to 13 years. I went to India and an Indian helped me to carry my twins, who look so much like me. They are not Indians and they still have a relationship with their surrogate mother.

“I have been helping people to reduce stigmatization. It is not anybody's choice to go through surrogacy. I can have a child; I only had a problem with my health. The bill will cause more damage than good.

“The bill would promote what we are trying to avoid such as trafficking or baby factory. We are ready to partner with you. I have spoken about it and even wrote a book about it.”

Dr Faye Iketubosin, past president of the Association of Fertility and Reproductive Health condemned the terminologies used in the bill. He said, “I worked with a committee that worked on the practice of ART in Lagos State.  We worked for four years to generate a document on ART in the state.

“We have been self-regulating. There is something to amend on almost every page. A committee involving the practitioners and stakeholders should come together and work on the bill. Let us enact the right law.”

But the Chairman of the Committee of Health Services, Sokunle Hakeem, assured the stakeholders that their observations and opinions would be accommodated in the bill. He said, “I must sincerely confess here today that the proposed law is long overdue in our system considering the series of controversies and litigations associated with human fertilization and surrogacy-related matters in our society.

“Let me assure you today that I have no doubt in my mind that this bill under consideration if eventually passed into law would provide a legal framework to regulate the procedure and practice of surrogacy, monitor the procurement, processing, storage, distribution, use of gametes and embryos in the state to prohibit commercial exploitation and secondly, the proposed law would also ensure that the best interest and right of any child born out of surrogacy are protected in accordance with the provision of Child’s Right Law of Lagos State.”