In a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), Monash IVF announced the board’s acceptance of Knaap’s resignation.
This week, Monash IVF acknowledged another bungled embryo implant; previously, in April, a woman gave birth to the wrong child following an incorrect embryo transplant at the company’s Queensland clinic.
Monash IVF stated in the Thursday declaration that they “acknowledge and respect” Knaap’s choice to step down.
“Michael has been at the helm of the organization during a period of notable growth and change since his appointment in 2019; we are grateful for his committed service,” the statement added.
Malik Jainudeen, Monash IVF’s Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary, is set to take over executive duties on an acting basis.
Following the recent incidents, industry experts are advocating for the national regulation of the fertility sector, a point to be addressed when health ministers convene in Melbourne.
IVF practices are currently regulated by state and territory laws, with clinics also quite strictly following guidelines set by the Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee (RTAC) and the National Health and Medical Research Council.
The Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) stated that Australia’s fertility care system ranks among the world’s safest, most transparent, and tightly regulated.
FSANZ President, Dr. Petra Wale, emphasized the rarity of these errors, but also emphasized the need for a national framework and an independent authority to bolster trust and oversight.
Diverse expert opinions underscore a global scarcity of experienced embryologists and the critical need for adequate training and stress management in this field.
Privacy Notice: Newsletters may include information about charities, online advertising, and content funded by external parties. To learn more, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our site and adhere to the Google Privacy Policy and Google Terms of Service.
