There is no doubt that being a mother or father is one of the dreams of many people’s lives. It is precisely for this reason that the frustration can be so great when its implementation is not possible. This happens, for example, when there are fertility problems that eventually make pregnancy impossible or difficult.
The World Health Organization estimates that one in six people of reproductive age worldwide will experience infertility in their lifetime. The reasons are multiple, and may originate from women, men, or both. There are also questions related to new family formations that need to be answered.
The good news is that there are more and more treatments available, able to help make the dream come true, and Portugal stands out favorably in the European panorama. In fact, according to data from the European Atlas of Fertility Treatment Policies, which evaluated 43 countries in terms of legislation and reimbursement for treatment, Portugal ranks fifth, ahead of countries such as Finland, Norway, the United Kingdom, Denmark and Spain. According to the Federation of Portuguese Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology, about 9,800 treatments are performed annually in Portugal, reinforcing the conviction that the sector of medically assisted reproduction (PMA) and fertility is in a growth phase.
Latest treatments
In addition to the public sector, there are many institutions where these treatments are available in Portugal, such as the one recently opened Eugene ClinicLocated in Coimbra, with the ability to offer the latest treatments and personalized solutions. This is the first unit in Portugal of the Eugin Group, an international reference in PMA techniques and fertility treatments, already present in more than 69 centres, spread over 11 countries, with 25 years of experience.
According to Eduardo González, CEO of Eugene Group, this unit is “equipped with the latest technology and where innovative care practices will be applied,” in addition to benefiting from the collaboration of Teresa Almeida Santos, gynecologist and subspecialist in reproductive medicine. The official considers it a “global reference in this field of medicine” and a “guarantor of the success” of the first center opened by the group in Portugal.
With an investment of more than 1.5 million euros, the new facilities include several consulting rooms and an operating room, but also its own laboratories, underscoring Eugene’s “strong commitment to scientific research,” highlights Eduardo González.
Solutions for all dreams
Because there may be many questions that need to be answered in order for pregnancy to occur and the dream to come true, several assisted reproductive techniques are available at the Eugene Clinic, with the possibility of using external donors and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, always as necessary. All with the aim of meeting every person’s needs.
Among the medically assisted reproductive techniques available, in vitro fertilization stands out. in the laboratory (IVF), a laboratory technique that allows eggs to be fertilized with sperm outside the uterus, to create embryos that will later be selected and transferred to the uterus. Another very popular method with a high success rate in cases for which there is a clear indication is artificial insemination, which consists of placing sperm (selected from a sample) into the uterus, with prior hormonal stimulation of the ovaries, while controlling ovulation, increasing the probability of pregnancy.
Privacy and comfort
What also sets Eugene apart is the fact that the clinic offers what it calls “nests,” spaces where each patient is truly placed at the center of a new model of care. The discussion revolves around an innovative concept, already operating in clinics in Barcelona and Madrid (Spain), consisting of providing unique, distinctive, welcoming and comfortable spaces, connected to examination rooms.
The creation of these sections allows patients to remain in one place during interventions, with specialists and other healthcare professionals moving more quickly and efficiently, which is an added value especially in treatments that require specialized procedures. Similar to hotel suites, these spaces provide great privacy and comfort to users, who no longer need to wait in waiting rooms or travel to the clinic for medical and nursing consultations, among other procedures.
The nests also allow patients to follow the different stages of treatment and development of the embryos on a dedicated screen, while allocating space for clinical monitoring, when ultrasound or medical evaluation is needed.
Highly qualified team
Those who come to the Eugene de Coimbra Clinic are welcomed by a young and highly qualified team, with training and experience in the field. In fact, in addition to the scientific coordination carried out by Teresa Almeida Santos, who is currently Secretary of the Federation of Portuguese Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Director of the Obstetrics, Gynecology, Neonatology and Reproductive Medicine Service of the Hospital and University Center of Coimbra, the team includes gynecologists, nurses and patient managers, in addition to To two leading embryologists, a psychologist and a geneticist.
The center now established in Coimbra reinforces the Eugene Group’s intention to position itself as a global leader in this field, with the intention of continuing to expand throughout the country. In fact, Eduardo González considers “Portugal a strategic area” for the group’s expansion, acknowledging its increased presence in the country. Recall that at the moment, the Eugin Group already has units in Spain, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Latvia, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, USA and Canada.
Active in the field of scientific research
The Eugene Group is also an active participant in several national and international fertility scientific societies, participates in scientific conferences relevant to the region and carries out important dissemination work through the EBART (Evidence-Based Assisted Reproductive Techniques) conference.
Furthermore, in the field of training, he makes his contribution through the Pompeu Fabra University Chair, as well as co-directing the International Master’s Degree in Assisted Human Reproductive Technologies, at the Pompeu Fabra University – Barcelona School of Management.
Likewise, the Eugene Group, part of the German Fresenius Helios Group, promotes and stimulates research and dissemination of scientific knowledge in the field of assisted human reproduction, and has already published more than 70 studies in this field. This aspect will be strongly supported in Portugal, since the scientific coordinator of the center is also a professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Coimbra.
