Faro Hospital to help infertile couples

As early as this year, Faro could boast a new “Centro de Procriação Medicamente Assistida” (Centre for medically assisted procreation, or “PMA” – as the unit is to be abbreviated).

According to official data, the National Health Service should perform 67 per cent more PMA procedures than in 2009.

The increase is due to the current level of investment.

Just in building work and equipment, the health ministry has already spent more than 10 million euros.

The objective is to improve support and treatment for couples.

The PMA will also be designed to help cases in which, for example, one spouse is a carrier of the AIDs virus, or Hepatitis B or C.

Other couples to receive support are those with a high-risk of transmitting genetic disorders (Down’s Syndrome, for example).

The medical techniques to be used will be various, including intrauterine artificial insemination and in-vitro fertilisation.