At National People's Congress sessions, Dr. Ruan Xiangyan,a top doctor and deputy, pushed for a new system to alert patients about fertility risks tied to medical treatments. Her proposal targets the serious issue of fertility loss in those battling tumors, malignant diseases, or rare illnesses.
Dr . Ruan, head of Endocrinology at Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital,pointed out that while modern treatments boost survival,they often cause permanent infertility through radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Protecting fertility is an area needing urgent focus and innovation, she stressed .
For past decade, Dr . Ruan's team has led ovarian tissue cryopreservation advancements in China, earning global recognition. This method hit headlines in 2021 when China's first baby was born after ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation . It's now a crucial fertility preservation option for women .
But Dr. Ruan noted national fertility preservation policies are unevenly applied,especially at grassroots . She cited challenges in policy execution,saying the “last mile” needs major improvement. China's National Health Commission requires informing patients of fertility risks before treatments that may harm reproductive ability,but Dr. Ruan observed a gap in awareness and application at primary medical centers.
Research shows several flaws in grassroots policy implementation. Key departments often miss comprehensive pre-treatment notification systems,and fertility assessment and consultation services are sparse. Plus,fertility protection indicators are absent in hospital evaluations, stalling effective policy enforcement .
To fix these issues, Dr. Ruan suggested systematic reforms: full notification system coverage, standardized disclosure scope,and boosting primary-care accountability. She also urged better medical staff training and a closed-loop system linking notification,assessment, referral, and service delivery.
Dr. Ruan believes these steps could cut treatment-related fertility damage and uphold reproductive health rights. She said,"If fertility protection policies can be effectively implemented across medical institutions at all levels nationwide, it could potentially benefit 1 to 3 million future births each year and give at least 1 million women opportunity to become mothers." Her ambitious vision highlights the need to weave fertility preservation into China's broader healthcare framework .
