Who is Sara Tanwir?

Sara Tanwir is a distinguished name in the field of infertility and assisted reproduction in Pakistan. With a Master’s degree in embryology from the University of Nottingham, UK, where she received the prestigious Charles Wallace Scholarship Award, Tanwir is the first female embryologist in Pakistan. She brings 19 years of experience to her practice, along with a commitment to advancing infertility treatments and awareness in the country.

Breaking Taboos and Educating the Masses

Tanwir discussed the social taboos surrounding infertility and the reluctance of many couples to seek help. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), couples who have been in a stable relationship for at least two years without producing offspring are considered infertile. Yet, discussing infertility remains a challenge in Pakistan.

Tanwir explained that women often feel embarrassment, shame, and grief over infertility, while men may view it as a threat to their masculinity. These feelings are exacerbated by a lack of education and awareness about infertility treatments. Cultural norms and misconceptions further stigmatize the issue, leading many couples to avoid seeking help.

The Need for Awareness and Education

Tanwir emphasized the importance of educating the public about infertility. She pointed out that anxiety, stress, and depression are significantly higher in infertile couples compared to their fertile counterparts. The lack of education leads to misconceptions that treatments are not in line with religious beliefs, thus reinforcing the taboo.

Raising awareness is crucial to ensuring that infertility is recognized as a serious concern. By providing adequate information, couples can seek timely medical care, and myths surrounding infertility can be debunked.

The Role of Tanwir Ahmed Medical Centre (TAMC)

The Tanwir Ahmed Medical Centre (TAMC) was established to provide a supportive and serene environment for infertile couples. Unlike a typical hospital setting, TAMC offers individualized care and attention, helping couples navigate their treatment options with dignity and respect.

Understanding IVF and IUI

Two of the main treatments offered at TAMC are In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Intrauterine Insemination (IUI). IVF involves egg stimulation, retrieval, fertilization, and transfer, while IUI involves injecting sperm directly into the uterus to decrease the travel time to the egg. These techniques offer hope to many infertile couples, although Tanwir advises against using them to determine the gender of a newborn to reduce genetic-linked diseases.

Expanding Access to Infertility Treatment

In addition to her work at TAMC, Sara Tanwir has established satellite centres in various suburban areas of Punjab, including Gujranwala, Kasur, Gujrat, Wazirabad, Mandi Bahauddin, and Okara. These centres aim to provide reproductive and infertility help to less privileged communities, ensuring that more couples have access to the care they need.