Vice-Chancellor's Report to University Council 2019/2020

HUGH WYNTER FERTILITY MANAGEMENT UNIT

Three services, namely, family planning, minimally invasive gynaecological surgeries and assisted reproductive technology (ART), are delivered in the Clinical Section of the HWFMU, using state-of-the-art technology and modern surgical techniques. There were 281 surgical services, 1,505 contraceptive services and 917 contraceptive services delivered during the period under review. SurrogacyWorkshop The two-day workshop “Surrogacy Ethics and the Law”was held September 12–13, 2019 to explore the legal and ethical issues relating to the practice of surrogacy in Jamaica and the Caribbean. The workshop engaged policy and law makers; lawyers and medical practitioners; law enforcers and associations responsible for women and child rights across Jamaica for the development of a comprehensive policy and legislative framework on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) including Surrogacy. Online Promotion The HWFMU’s social media promotion has been generating interest in the services of the Unit which will improve the financial health of the University. The launch and promotion on the HWFMU’s social media pages—Instagram and Facebook—increased its visibility to the diasporic population. The social medial promotional strategy has increased the HWFMU’s clientele and enquires. This, coupled with the latest applications in digital technologies (Artificial Intelligent

The operating theatre staff of the HWFMU assisting the Director, Dr Vernon DaCosta while performing a surgical procedure.

higher in the SERP (search engine results page), hence, increasing HWFMU’s visibility in the digital space.

Bot and WhatsApp) have improved communication with clients, resulting in quicker responses and earlier appointments.

Traditional media and email marketing have played a role in generating interest in the HWFMU’s services but not to the extent of the digital platforms.

The creation and the launch on the new assisted reproductive website named IVFJamaica is ranked

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