News and Updates

ASPIRE members in the Philippines are preparing for the annual congresses of our local societies.

These include the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society, the Philippine Society for Reproductive Medicine, the Philippine Society for Fertility Preservation and the Philippine Society for Climacteric Medicine.

Organising committees, speakers, moderators and scientific teams across the country are working tirelessly to ensure the success of these meetings. Months of careful planning and collaboration go into developing scientific programs that are timely, relevant and beneficial to our members and patients.

Beyond the scientific sessions, these congresses provide valuable opportunities to strengthen professional relationships and foster meaningful collaborations. They bring together colleagues from different medical specialties, creating an environment where knowledge and expertise can be shared across disciplines.

The meetings also serve as an excellent platform to establish partnerships with fellow reproductive medicine societies and allied organisations. We are particularly grateful for the participation of our distinguished international faculty and foreign delegates whose insights enrich our discussions and broaden our perspectives.

Through these interactions we continue to build bridges that advance education, research and clinical practice in reproductive medicine.

As we look forward to these congresses, we remain committed to working together in the spirit of excellence, innovation and regional cooperation for the benefit of the patients and communities we serve.

Dr Anthony Marc B.  Ancheta & Dr Rudie Frederick Mendiola 

ASPIRE Country Representative for Philippines

India is characterised by remarkable diversity, innovation and a shared commitment to advancing reproductive health through excellence in clinical care, research, education and collaboration.

The field of reproductive medicine is evolving at an unprecedented pace driven by breakthroughs in assisted reproductive technologies.

To help keep at the forefront of advances, the Indian Society of Assisted Reproduction (ISAR) has started the Integrated Symposium on Infertility, Gynaecology, Hormones and Technology (INSIGHT) certificate courses. The three-day courses are presented every two months.

To date we have completed two INSIGHT certificate courses on implantation and  recurrent implantation failure (RIF). The next course on endometriosis will be held from 19 to 21 August between 6.00pm and 9.00 PM.

Meanwhile, ISAR’s special interest groups have been active with full-day webinars on embryology, fertility preservation and imaging. These successful webinars will continue with a focus on reproductive endocrinology, RIF, male infertility and endometriosis.

The ISAR Annual Conference will be held between 4 and 7 February 2027 in Bangalore, India. It will provide an interactive platform for all faculties practising reproductive medicine and we look forward to welcoming delegates from across the Asia Pacific region.

For more information go to www.isarindia.net

Dr Madhuri Patil
ASPIRE Country Representative for India

New this year: Delegates can also take advantage of the Main Congress & 1-Year ASPIRE Membership Bundle. This gives delegates full access to the congress along with a full year of ASPIRE membership, all in a single package.

That’s not all to look forward to. Delegates will also have the special opportunity to meet Louise Brown, the world’s first IVF baby, and be part of a milestone moment celebrating the remarkable journey and progress of assisted reproduction.

Don't miss out! Register early and join us in Japan.

For more information, please visit https://aspire2027.com/registration/

We invite you to join us for an exciting webinar on Thursday 27 August exploring innovative treatments for uterine fibroids. The webinar will address the latest advances in the management of uterine fibroids featuring expert discussions on robotic myomectomy, fibroid ablation techniques and the evolving role of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU).

As one of the most common gynaecologic conditions affecting women of reproductive age, uterine fibroids continue to pose significant challenges to fertility and quality of life. 

Understanding the expanding range of uterus preserving treatment options is essential for optimising reproductive and clinical outcomes. This educational webinar will provide a comprehensive review of contemporary fibroid management and the latest evidence guiding patient selection, treatment planning and clinical decision-making.

Professor Kyungah Jeong will discuss the role of robotic myomectomy with a focus on identifying ideal candidates, pre-operative planning, surgical considerations, expected clinical outcomes and the prevention and management of complications. The session will also highlight how robotic-assisted surgery facilitates meticulous uterine reconstruction while supporting future fertility.

Professor Aizura Adlan will examine the expanding role of fibroid ablation techniques covering patient selection, procedural planning, current evidence on treatment effectiveness and the reproductive implications of these minimally invasive therapies.

A highlight of the webinar will be an insightful presentation by Dr Zhang Lian on High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), one of the most promising advances in non-invasive fibroid therapy. 

Participants will explore the principles of HIFU including MR-guided and ultrasound-guided approaches while gaining a deeper understanding of current indications, treatment planning, clinical outcomes, fertility considerations and future directions of this rapidly evolving technology.

The webinar will be co-chaired by Professor Chyi Long Lee and Professor Maria Antonia Habana bringing together experts to share practical insights and the latest advances in fertility-preserving fibroid management. 

Register now and join us on 27 August from 5:00pm to 6.30 pm for this timely discussion on the future of fibroid management. Discover how emerging technologies are transforming clinical practice while prioritising symptom relief, uterine preservation and reproductive potential.

Professor Maria Antonia Habana, MD, MSc

Over the past year the ASPIRE Nurses SIG has continued to focus on strengthening education, collaboration and engagement among fertility nurses across the Asia-Pacific region.

We recently launched our webinar series with Fundamentals of Male Reproduction featuring outstanding presentations from Dr Chui Ka Lun, Dr Deepak Modi and Professor Huang Zhongwei. 

The webinar was very well received and it reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality, accessible education for fertility nurses.

Building on this momentum, we are planning a series of webinars providing practical, evidence-based education relevant to everyday clinical practice. They will be designed to foster professional development and strengthen connections between nurses in our region. 

We also see these webinars as an important first step towards developing a sustainable educational library that may support an ASPIRE nursing education and certification pathway.

In addition to our educational activities, the SIG continues to explore ways to improve engagement across the region. We recognise that there are significant differences in health care systems, resources, language and professional development opportunities between countries. 

Therefore, we are considering initiatives including Regional Nurse Champions to help build stronger local connections, identify educational priorities and facilitate productive communication between nurses. 

Rather than expecting nurses to step immediately into formal committee roles, this approach aims to build relationships, encourage participation and create a greater sense of belonging within ASPIRE.

While committed to supporting fertility nurses through relevant education, collaboration and professional development, our SIG will continue to advocate for greater recognition of the essential role nurses play within reproductive medicine.

Ms Rebecca Moore and Ms Muhsinah, Co-Chairs Nurses SIG 

Taiwan's total fertility rate fell to just 0.695 in 2025, down from 0.885 the previous year. This is the world's lowest TFR prompting a fresh wave of government action. 

The government increased assisted reproduction subsidies from January 2026. The number of subsidised IVF cycles remains the same, but the subsidy itself has increased from NT$100,000 to NT$150,000 per attempt. This reduces the financial burden and increases the willingness for infertile couples to receive assisted reproductive technology. 

Newborn cash payouts were also increased alongside a broader 0 to 18 The Nation Raises Together initiative announced by President Lai Ching-te in May 2026. This provides NT$5,000 per month per child up to age 18 regardless of household income. 

The initiative was formalised through the Future Account Act passed by the Legislative Yuan on 24 July 2026. It combines a lump-sum future account with a monthly growth allowance worth up to roughly NT$1.14 million per child by adulthood. 

The National Development Council is also pursuing complementary reforms including expanded paternity leave, more flexible parental leave arrangements and greater childcare capacity. The objective is to ease the broader social and economic pressures discouraging young couples from having children. 

While these measures mark one of Taiwan's most substantial pronatalist packages to date, local commentators remain cautious about whether they will meaningfully reverse the birth-rate decline noting that housing costs, wages and work-life balance remain significant barriers.

Dr Mei-Jou Chen & Professor Eing-Mei Tsai
ASPIRE Country Representative for Taiwan