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A Dubai centre that answers prayers of childless couples

Dubai - The centre marked International Family Day by hosting a gathering for those born through fertility treatments.

Buthaina Al Attar was six years into her marriage and still had not been able to conceive.
"I was desperate for a child," she told Khaleej Times. "I had travelled to Germany and a couple of other Western countries for fertility treatment but remained childless," said the Emirati.
She then came across the Dubai Gynaecology and Fertility Centre (DGFC), run by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), which answered all her prayers. 
Within four years of treatment for severe polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOs), Buthaina was blessed with one set of triplets, followed by twins and then a last born.
Her eldest triplets - two boys and one girl - are now 10. "I had twins in the second cycle of treatment one of which could not survive but Abdullah is seven now," she said. The youngest, Mohammed is five. "I wish I had come here for treatment earlier." 
On Monday, the centre marked International Family Day by hosting a gathering for those born through fertility treatments. 
Humaid Obaid Al Qattami, Chairman of the Board and Director-General of the DHA, said: "Since the establishment of the centre in 1991, more than 4,200 babies have been born as a result of assisted reproductive technology (ART).
"The success rate at the centre is 62 per cent, which is higher than the international average of 52 per cent," he added.
In 2013, the centre became the first in the Middle-East to test patients for genetic disorders, including thalassaemia and other DNA-related diseases.
Of the 4,200 babies born at the centre, 100 babies were born to Emirati couples who opted for the Amal initiative. In 2013, the DHA sponsored fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) needed by Emirati couples who are facing infertility problems and have financial difficulties as part of the 'Amal' initiative. 
This generosity was in line with the orders of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
DGFC sponsored the cost of all cycles of fertility treatment needed for Emiratis who were suffering from infertility problems and were selected for this initiative.
One such case was of Emirati Shaikha Hamd Al Kitbi who attended the event with her twins Mariam and Mohammed Mansoor. "I had been married eight years and had suffered four miscarriages," she said. "However, I was lucky to conceive within the first cycle of treatment only."
Dr Hana Tahwara, director of the centre, said: "We offer individualised care and transfer of embryos is strictly as per the clinical history of the patient to reduce the occurrence of multiple pregnancies."
Dr Wael Ismail, assistant director for medical affairs, said that gender selection was also a popular procedure even though most couples had no preferences for any gender.
"There are a huge number of nationalities with a myriad of problems," he said. From issues such as consanguineous marriages to issues that appear in text books have been treated, he added.
Age factor in women and male infertility in 30-40 per cent of the cases that come to the centre are among the main cases that get treatment at the centre.
asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com