Prof. Temitope Alonge, the Chief Medical Director of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, says the establishment of a low cost In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and Fertility Centre in the institution will address the growing incidence of infertility.
Alonge said this while inaugurating the centre on Thursday in Ibadan. He said the facility would provide one of the cheapest IVF treatment in the country, adding that a procedure would cost N750, 000.
“This will make the process affordable and accessible to many Nigerians,’’ he said.
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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the IVF is a process of fertilisation where an egg is combined with sperm outside the body to produce babies.
Alonge also said the facility built through Public-Private Partnership with Access Bank would provide a training ground for resident doctors.
“There are many couples in Nigeria who continue to live through the pain of infertility and a recent study shows that 20 per cent of Nigerian couples are infertile and that is a substantial number.
This growing incidence of infertility has wrecked some homes and it has become paramount to provide affordable fertility to all.
The cost of care at the facility has also been greatly reduced to about N750, 000 to make it easily accessible to many couples who otherwise couldn’t afford the high cost of assisted reproductive care.
The centre also forms an integral part of training of doctors in gynaecology and obstetrics.
The challenge of fertility care is a global issue and this clinic will serve as a training centre,’’ he said.
Prof. Shina Oladokun, a Consultant Obstetrician, said IVF treatment was becoming increasingly reliable in helping women beat the odds of infertility.
Oladokun, the head of the centre, however, advised couples with fertility problem and who desired to have children to always seek early intervention and counseling to increase the chance of success.
NAN reports that some of the facilities at the centre include incubator, lamina flow tent, centrifuge, laboratories and consulting rooms. (NAN)
