FIGO at 70: Paving the way to pioneering work on global reproductive health

In this interview, Professor Dov Feldberg will delve into his history with FIGO, offering insights into his pioneering work with FIGO and shed light on the future of fertility science.  

Professor Feldberg is a long-standing member of the Reproductive Medicine, Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) Committee.  A distinguished fertility specialist with nearly four decades of experience, he kickstarted his career at Yale and Cornell learning about human reproduction from renowned experts such as Allen DeCherney and Zev Rosenwaks. Notably, his groundbreaking contributions to reproductive medicine include establishing Israel's third IVF unit in 1985.  
 
Tell us about your 8-year involvement with FIGO?  

My journey with FIGO began when Professor C. N. Purandare invited me to join the REI Committee in 2016.  I collaborated as vice-chair with Chair Professor Edgar Mocanu on global initiatives, including the ART (Assisted reproductive technologies) Toolbox, that was developed by David Adamson and projects in fertility preservation and reproductive medicine problem-solving.  

In 2018, during the World Global Congress of FIGO in Rio de Janeiro, Edgar Mocanu and I orchestrated three workshops with international speakers in Reproductive Medicine, marking a milestone in our commitment to FIGO's vision. I continued with the REI Committee under the next chair, Professor Ivonne Diaz, strategising in a committee meeting in Tel Aviv, with discussion of introducing new technologies of reproduction into developing countries according to FIGO's vision. Throughout the pandemic, our committee adapted with webinars and online meetings, contributing noteworthy papers to the International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics and various other activities. In 2021, Professor Jaideep Malhotra assumed the position of Committee Chair, overseeing significant publications and webinars on issues such as recurrent implantation failure in assisted reproduction. 

During this period our committee composed a FIGO statement on fertility preservation that was orchestrated by Dr. Laurie Henry. Last October Dr. Nikhil Purandare was nominated as the new chair of the REI committee. Dr Nikhil is very talented and ambitiously leading our committee into new projects in ART Assisted reproductive technologies), including collaborating with organisations such as The International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS). I am sure that under his leadership we will intensively continue our activities according to FIGO's vision. 

What led you to volunteer with FIGO initially?  

I was fascinated by FIGO as a large global organisation. I understood that FIGO helps not just in developed countries and that by connecting with others through FIGO I would be able to help not just in my country, but all over the world. We can only have true impact as a large global organisation and that is what helps us to introduce and share knowledge worldwide.   

What FIGO achievement are you most proud of?   

I’m proud of the publications and statements produced by the Committee on REI, that are read all over the world. It's a great achievement to globally introduce knowledge on reproductive medicine, not only to the doctors but also to educate patients so they can understand when they should apply to an infertility expert to be helped in developed and underdeveloped countries. 

A career highlight for me was the 2022 meeting in Cartagena, where I presented on poor ovarian reserve and the ways to overcome it, sparking crucial discussions on women's rights in reproductive technologies. This landmark event culminated in the Cartagena Declaration, now a symbol for the committee on REI globally.  

Reflecting on my journey, I would like to emphasise the fantastic camaraderie among committee members and chairs and express gratitude for the opportunity to champion FIGO's vision with such knowledgeable and dedicated colleagues.  

In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges to overcome in the journey to improve reproductive health and fertility worldwide?   

Each country has its own challenges with reproduction and fertility, and our commitment to improve these issues extends beyond affluent areas, recognising specific needs in low-income nations. A key focus is developing low-cost IVF solutions to make fertility treatments accessible even in financially constrained regions. 

Initiatives include utilising technology and mobile laboratories that bring essential services to remote areas, bridging gaps in healthcare infrastructure. The goal is to support individuals and couples in their quest to have biological children, irrespective of economic circumstances. This inclusive approach extends to various countries, emphasising the universal nature of fertility challenges and the ongoing efforts to address them globally.     

What would you like to see from FIGO in the next 30 years?    

FIGO is not going to be the same as it is today. Technology will develop and low-income countries will also develop. I believe FIGO should be at the forefront of introducing these new technologies including artificial intelligence in my field of fertility treatment.  The concept of the world and the definition of developed and under-developed countries is going to be the same, but we will advance in problem-solving and I'm sure FIGO is going to have overwhelming influence in solving these problems in the next 30 years globally. 

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