Terms of Use

1. About these terms

These Terms of Use govern your access to and use of the website operated by Pathway to Parenthood Foundation (PTPF), a Nigerian nonprofit organisation registered under Registration No. RC 9684904.

PTPF exists to help eligible individuals and families who cannot otherwise afford fertility treatment overcome financial barriers to parenthood. Through its support programmes, PTPF may co-fund between 30% and 50% of eligible in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and surrogacy treatment costs for applicants who satisfy its eligibility requirements and are approved for assistance.

By accessing or using this website, submitting an application for support, or making a donation through the website, you acknowledge that you have read and understood these Terms of Use and agree to be bound by the applicable provisions.

If you do not agree to these Terms, you should discontinue your use of the website.

These Terms should be read together with PTPF's Privacy Policy and any separate application guidelines, funding conditions or written agreement applicable to a particular support scheme.

2. Information, not medical advice

The information published on this website is provided for general informational and educational purposes. It is intended to help visitors understand PTPF's mission, funding schemes and application process.

Nothing on this website constitutes, or should be relied upon as, medical, clinical, legal, financial or psychological advice. Visitors and applicants should obtain seek independent professional advice pertaining to their individual circumstances before making decisions concerning fertility treatment, surrogacy arrangements, financial commitments or other matters affecting their personal circumstances.

Information published on this website may be updated, amended or withdrawn from time to time. Although PTPF endeavours to ensure that the information provided is accurate and current, it does not warrant that all website content will always be complete, error-free or applicable to every individual's circumstances.

3. Applications for financial support

3.1 Eligibility and application

PTPF provides financial assistance to eligible applicants who require support to access IVF, surrogacy or other treatment expressly covered by an applicable PTPF funding scheme.

All applications are subject to PTPF's eligibility criteria, application procedures, assessment process, verification requirements and available funding.

Applicants are responsible for providing the information and supporting documentation reasonably required for the assessment of their applications.

Submission of an application does not create any entitlement to financial assistance, establish a contractual obligation on PTPF to provide funding, or guarantee that an application will be approved.

3.2 Nature and extent of support

For applications approved under the relevant funding scheme, PTPF may co-fund between 30% and 50% of eligible treatment costs, subject to the applicable funding scheme, conditions and the amount of funding approved.

The percentage and amount of support applicable to an individual applicant will be determined by PTPF and communicated to the applicant upon approval. PTPF's contribution is limited to the treatment costs and services expressly approved in writing. It does not automatically extend to additional consultations, medication, diagnostic procedures, repeat treatment cycles, complications, accommodation, transportation, personal expenses or other incidental costs unless these have been expressly included in the written approval.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the applicant remains responsible for the balance of the treatment costs and any expenses not covered by PTPF's approved contribution.

3.3 Funding availability

All support is subject to the availability of funds and PTPF's applicable funding scheme, priorities and eligibility requirements at the time the application is assessed and approved.

PTPF does not guarantee that funding will be available to every eligible applicant or that funding will remain available indefinitely.

Where funding is limited, PTPF may determine the order, timing and extent of assistance in accordance with its scheme criteria and available resources, subject to applicable law and any existing written funding commitment.

3.4 Approval and payment

An application is considered approved only when PTPF has communicated its approval through an authorised written communication specifying the approved contribution and applicable conditions.

Unless PTPF expressly agrees otherwise in writing, approved funding will be paid directly to the relevant treating clinic, hospital or other approved treatment provider.

Applicants must not assume that any expenditure incurred before written approval will be reimbursed. PTPF shall not be responsible for any treatment costs, deposits, contractual commitments or other expenses independently incurred by an applicant without prior written approval where such expenses fall outside the approved funding arrangement.

3.5 Treatment plans and changes

Approved funding relates only to the treatment plan and eligible costs identified in the written approval.

Any material change to the approved treatment plan, treating provider, estimated cost or scope of treatment must be disclosed to PTPF and approved in writing before additional funding is committed.

PTPF reserves the right to reassess the amount or scope of assistance where a proposed change affects the eligibility, cost or terms of the original approval.

3.6 Decisions on applications

PTPF assesses applications in accordance with its eligibility requirements, funding scheme objectives, verification procedures and available resources.

PTPF will communicate its decision to applicants through the contact details provided in their applications.

Subject to applicable law and any express rights under a separate written funding agreement, PTPF's decision on an application shall be final.

An unsuccessful applicant may submit a fresh application for consideration under a subsequent funding opportunity, provided that the applicant continues to satisfy the applicable eligibility requirements. A fresh application does not guarantee approval.

4. No guarantee of pregnancy or treatment outcome

PTPF's role is to facilitate access to fertility treatment by providing financial assistance to eligible applicants. PTPF is not itself a fertility clinic, hospital, medical practitioner, surrogacy agency or treatment provider merely by virtue of providing such financial assistance. PTPF does not perform, supervise or control the clinical treatment administered by independent healthcare professionals or treatment providers.

Although PTPF may assist with part of the cost for the approved treatment, it does not guarantee conception, pregnancy, live birth, the success of any IVF cycle, the success of a surrogacy arrangement or any other medical or personal outcome.

All medical decisions, including the suitability, nature, risks, benefits and expected outcomes of treatment, should be discussed with the relevant qualified healthcare professionals.

Applicants are responsible for seeking appropriate medical advice and for understanding the clinical risks, limitations and potential outcomes of their proposed treatment.

5. Accuracy of information and withdrawal of support

Applicants must ensure that all information and documents supplied to PTPF in connection with an application are truthful, accurate, complete and not misleading in any material respect.

Applicants must promptly notify PTPF of any material change in their circumstances or in the information on which an application or funding approval was based.

PTPF may request further information or documentation where reasonably necessary to verify eligibility, confirm treatment costs, assess an application or monitor the proper use of approved funding.

Where PTPF reasonably determines that an applicant has supplied materially false, misleading or fraudulent information, withheld material information, misrepresented their eligibility or materially breached the conditions of an approved funding arrangement, PTPF may, subject to applicable law and any applicable written funding agreement:

1. suspend the assessment or processing of the application;
2. decline the application;
3. suspend or withdraw an existing funding approval;
4. discontinue further payments that have not yet been made; or
5. take any other lawful action reasonably necessary to protect the integrity and proper administration of its funding schemes.

Where appropriate, PTPF may request an explanation or further information before making a final determination.

6. Donations

6.1 Voluntary contributions

Donations made to PTPF are voluntary contributions intended to support its objectives, including helping eligible applicants overcome the financial barriers to accessing fertility treatment.

Unless a separate written arrangement expressly provides otherwise, donations are made to PTPF and not to a particular applicant or individual beneficiary.

6.2 Application of donations

PTPF shall apply donations towards its objectives and funding scheme in accordance with its constitution and internal policies, applicable law and any lawful restrictions expressly accepted by PTPF at the time the donation is made.

Subject to any such accepted restriction, PTPF retains discretion to determine how donations are allocated among eligible applicants, approved treatment costs, programme administration and other reasonable expenses associated with implementing its charitable objectives.

A donation does not entitle the donor to select a beneficiary, participate in the assessment of an application, influence a funding decision or require PTPF to provide assistance to any particular person.

6.3 No entitlement to repayment

Except as provided in Section 10 or where otherwise required by applicable law, donations are non-refundable.

Making a donation does not create an ownership interest in PTPF, confer membership or governance rights, or entitle the donor to any financial return, repayment or personal benefit.

6.4 Payment processing

Where electronic donation facilities are available, payments may be processed through Paystack or another payment service provider designated by PTPF.

Such transactions may also be subject to the applicable terms, conditions, security procedures and privacy practices of the relevant payment service provider.

PTPF does not control the independent systems of third-party payment processors and shall not be responsible for their acts or omissions except to the extent that liability arises under applicable law or from PTPF's own acts or omissions.

Donors should retain their transaction confirmations and contact PTPF promptly if they identify a payment error or unauthorised transaction.

7. Acceptable use of the website

You agree to use this website lawfully and responsibly.

You must not:

1. use the website for any unlawful, fraudulent or deceptive purpose;
2. knowingly submit false, misleading or fraudulent information in an application or donation-related communication;
3. attempt to gain unauthorised access to the website, its servers, databases, administrative systems or other connected systems;
4. interfere with, disrupt or compromise the security, availability or proper operation of the website;
5. introduce malicious software, harmful code or other material intended to damage or interfere with the website or its users;
6. use automated systems to collect information from the website in a manner that is unlawful or unauthorised; or
7. use the PTPF name, identity or website content to misrepresent an affiliation with PTPF, solicit donations fraudulently or mislead members of the public.

PTPF may restrict or suspend access to the website where reasonably necessary to protect its systems, users, applicants, donors or legitimate organisational interests, subject to applicable law.

Where suspected unlawful activity is identified, PTPF may take appropriate lawful steps to protect its interests and cooperate with relevant enforcement and/or regulatory authorities where required.

8. Intellectual property

Unless otherwise stated, the PTPF name, logo, branding, website design, text, graphics, publications and other materials published on this website are owned by PTPF or used under an appropriate licence.

These materials are protected by applicable intellectual property laws.

You may access and use the website for personal, non-commercial and informational purposes. You must not reproduce, distribute, modify, publish, commercially exploit or otherwise use PTPF's protected materials without prior written permission, except where such use is permitted by applicable law.

Nothing in these Terms transfers ownership of PTPF's intellectual property to any website visitor, applicant or donor.

Requests for permission to use PTPF's name, logo or other protected materials should be directed to PTPF through its designated contact channels.

9. Third-party treatment providers and external websites

PTPF may refer applicants to, or approve funding for treatment provided by, independent fertility clinics, hospitals, healthcare professionals or other service providers.

Such providers operate independently of PTPF and are responsible for the professional services, clinical decisions, treatment arrangements, patient care and other obligations falling within their respective responsibilities.

Unless expressly agreed otherwise in a separate written agreement, PTPF does not warrant the clinical suitability, quality, safety or outcome of treatment provided by an independent provider.

Applicants should make their own informed decisions after obtaining appropriate professional advice and reviewing the relevant provider's terms, treatment costs, consent requirements and other applicable documentation.

This website may also contain links to third-party websites or resources. Such links are provided for convenience or information and do not, by themselves, constitute an endorsement of the third party or its services.

PTPF does not control independent third-party websites and is not responsible for their content, privacy practices or availability, subject to any liability imposed by applicable law.

10. Refund policy

10.1 Donations made in error

A donor who believes that a donation was made in error may submit a written refund request to PTPF within seven (7) business days of the transaction.

The request should include sufficient information to identify the transaction, the date and amount of the donation, the reason for the request and reasonable evidence of the alleged error.

10.2 Assessment of refund requests

PTPF will review refund requests in good faith and may request further information reasonably necessary to determine whether the payment was made in error.

Where a refund is approved, PTPF will arrange for the refund to be processed through the original payment method where reasonably practicable, subject to the procedures of the relevant payment service provider and applicable law.

The time required for the refund to appear in the donor's account may depend on the payment processor and the donor's financial institution.

10.3 Limits and exceptions

The seven-business-day period is PTPF's stated administrative timeframe for submitting requests under this policy. It does not exclude any non-waivable statutory right or remedy available to a donor under applicable law.

This refund policy does not create a general entitlement to recover donations merely because a donor subsequently changes their mind.

Nothing in this section limits any rights that may arise in relation to an unauthorised payment, a duplicate transaction or another payment error under applicable law or the rules governing the relevant payment method.

11. Privacy and personal information

PTPF recognises that applicants and beneficiaries may provide personal information, including sensitive information concerning fertility treatment, medical history, financial circumstances and family circumstances.

PTPF will collect, use, store and otherwise process personal information in accordance with its Privacy Policy and applicable Nigerian data protection laws.

Applicants and donors should read the Privacy Policy to understand how their information may be processed, the purposes for which it may be used, the circumstances in which it may be disclosed, and the rights available to them under applicable law.

Where an application requires the submission of medical or other sensitive personal information, PTPF will handle such information in accordance with applicable legal requirements and its stated privacy practices.

Nothing in these Terms constitutes blanket consent to the collection, use or disclosure of personal information for purposes unrelated to the relevant application, donation or lawful organisational activity.

12. Limitation of liability

To the extent permitted by applicable law, PTPF shall not be liable for loss or damage arising solely from a visitor's use of, or inability to use, this website, or from reasonable reliance on general informational content published on it.

PTPF does not warrant that the website will always be available, uninterrupted, secure or free from technical errors, although it will take reasonable steps to maintain its proper operation.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability for fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, wilful misconduct, or any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited under Nigerian law.

Nothing in this section relieves PTPF of an express obligation contained in a separate written funding agreement or other binding agreement.

Where PTPF has issued a written funding approval or entered into a separate funding agreement with an applicant, the rights and obligations of the parties in respect of that funding shall be determined in accordance with the applicable agreement and the law.

13. Changes to these terms

PTPF may amend these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in its programmes, website operations, funding procedures, legal obligations or organisational requirements. The revised Terms will be published on this website with an updated revision date.

Changes shall take effect from the date stated in the revised Terms or, where no later date is specified, upon publication, subject to applicable law.

A revision to these Terms shall not, by itself, retrospectively alter an existing binding funding commitment or other contractual right where such alteration is not permitted by the applicable agreement or law.

Visitors are encouraged to review these Terms periodically to remain informed of the conditions governing their use of the website.

14. Governing law and dispute resolution

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Where a dispute arises concerning the interpretation or application of these Terms, the parties shall endeavour to resolve the dispute amicably through good-faith communication.

Where an amicable resolution cannot be achieved, either party may pursue any remedy available under applicable Nigerian law before a court of competent jurisdiction.

Nothing in this section prevents a party from seeking urgent interim or protective relief where such relief is legally available.

15. General provisions

15.1 Entire understanding

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and any applicable written funding agreement or programme-specific conditions, constitute the terms governing the relevant use of the website and participation in the applicable PTPF funding scheme.

Where a separate written funding agreement expressly governs a particular matter and conflicts with these general website Terms, the specific agreement shall prevail in relation to that matter, to the extent permitted by law.

15.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall continue in effect to the extent that they can operate independently and consistently with applicable law.

15.3 No waiver

A failure or delay by PTPF to exercise a right under these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of that right, unless expressly stated in writing or otherwise established under applicable law.

15.4 No automatic partnership or agency

Nothing in these Terms creates a partnership, joint venture, employment relationship or agency relationship between PTPF and any website visitor, applicant, donor or independent treatment provider.

15.5 Interpretation

Headings are included for convenience and shall not affect the interpretation of these Terms. Words importing the singular include the plural and vice versa where the context permits.

16. Contact ptpf

info@theptpf.org.

By continuing to use this website, you acknowledge that you have read these Terms of Use and agree to the provisions applicable to your use of the website.