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Dubai: The Dubai Gynaecology and Fertility Centre (DGFC) has tied up with the private City Hospital in Dubai for surgeries and deliveries following fertility treatment at the centre.
While the public-private partnership is said to be the first-of-its-kind in the emirate, the much-debated fertility treatment will remain in the hands of DGFC, a public operator under the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).
Under the scope of the agreement, the City Hospital will provide in-patient facilities, theatres, anesthesiologists, support doctors and other resources to DGFC patients, Dr Tarek Fathey, Hospital Director of City Hospital, told XPRESS.
Despite growing demand, the vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment is currently offered only in government hospitals and clinics.
Asked if City Hospital would provide fertility treatment if given permission, Dr Fathey said, "We will definitely consider and investigate the possibility of offering such treatment if we have the permission."
The 16-year-old DGFC underwent a massive expansion last year with a relocation to the Dubai Healthcare City from near the Rashid Hospital to meet a reported 20-30 per cent increase in the number of patients coming to the centre.
Under the new agreement, DGFC, which has a seven-bed day care surgery centre with a clinic and procedural section, will continue to provide clinical consultations, hormonal treatment and undertake ovulation induction, IVF and other procedures.