PREMIER Service Medical Investments has refuted claims that it is collecting sp_erms from men through its clinics.
Spokesperson for Premier Service Medical Investments (PSMI) Polite Mugwagwa said they were shocked at the allegations that have been circulating on Whats App that their clinic in Bulawayo is buying sp_erms from men.
“It has come to our attention that such a malicious message is circulating on Whats App. PSMI did not originate such a message from any of its offices and centres countrywide.
“We have not employed in our organistion in the past or in the present the people mentioned in that message and we also do not have service centres in the locations stated in that message,” said Mugwagwa.
She argued that their organisation has never offered sp_erm donation services in the past hence they had never advertised for the purchase of such from anyone.
“The organization distances itself from such malicious messages which can mislead the public and we encourage members of the public to verify the authenticity of these messages through our official channels,” she added.
Social media has been awash with reports that PSMAS clinics were buying a cup of sp_erms from men in Bulawayo at a cost of US $10. Since then some men have been making enquiries on how they can also sell their sp_erms.
PSMI is a subsidiary of Premier Service Medical Aid Society, a medical services company.
“Sp_erm Donors Memo To all males living in the Bulawayo area. Psmas is paying $10 per cup for the acquirement of your sp_erm.
“Males must be over the age of 21 but under the age of 29, must weigh over 55kgs and are subject to an HIV test.
If you meet the requirments to be a donor please visit Premier Health 9th ave/R.Mugabe or PSMAS clinic cnr 4th ave/J.Tongogara.
“NB all donations to be made on clinic premises and a copy of your National Identity is to be left after all donations,” read part of the message which has been circulating on social media.
While sp_erm donation is permissible and regulated in other countries, a local doctor who spoke on condition of anonymity said he had never heard of the practise in Zimbabwe.
“Sp_erm and egg donation is permissible and regulated in some countries like in the UK.
“There is an Act of parliament regulating the whole process. That is the Human Fertilization and Embryo Act. It requires the regulation of all clinics offering the service. In compliance to the Act, the UK has the Human Fertilization and Embryo authority which is the regulatory and licensing body that oversees the use of sp_erm and eggs in fertility and research,” said the doctor.
The doctor added that regulation helped protect the donor and also ensure that clinics carry out screening procedure that clear donors: “Not from only infectious diseases such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV and other sexually transmissible diseases but also some genetically inherited disease, such as Sickle cell disease, Dwarfism and all arrays of genetic disorders, as well as future turn around and litigation for child care and parenthood.
“Unregulated private donations do occur rarely but are very risky to both the donor and the recipient.”