By Niyi Akande
A 46-year-old housewife (name withheld) resident in Oyo town, would benefit from a free In- Vitro Fertilization courtesy of SW Aqua CARES Fertility and Women Health, a private health facility in Osogbo, Osun State.
In vitro fertilisation otherwise known as (IVF) is a process of fertilisation where an egg is combined with sperm in vitro (“in glass”).
The process involves monitoring and stimulating a woman’s ovulatory process, removing an ovum or ova (egg or eggs) from their ovaries and letting a man’s sperm fertilise them in a culture medium in a laboratory.
After the fertilised egg (zygote) undergoes embryo culture for 2–6 days, it is transferred by catheter into the uterus, with the intention of establishing a successful pregnancy.
The lucky housewife, who was part of the over 50 interested women that had obtained form to participate in a lottery meant to commemorate 5th anniversary of the hospital, could not contain her joy after she was contacted and told that she was going to benefit from free IVF, a medical procedure that currently cost between N2.5m and N3million.
Giving further insight into the activities commemorating 5th anniversary of the hospital and the reason behind the offer of a free IVF, a Consultant Gynecologist, Dr. Oluseyi Atanda, who is the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, explained that the gesture was born out of passion and the need to offer hope to hopeless infertile couples, that may not be financially buoyant to pay for such a service.
He further said, “The management of the hospital decided to give back to the society and help hopeless infertile couples. The hospital decided to do a free IVF for a lucky couple. The 5-year Anniversary Give-Away IVF was opened for one month and extended by a week upon request by interested couples.
“Over 50 participants across South West Nigeria obtained form and on my birthday anniversary, a lucky couple emerged through an unbiased random shot using the popular tombola box. The lucky winner from Oyo town was called on phone and was most elated.”
On other activities that were held in commemorating the 5th anniversary of Aqua CARES Fertility and Women Health, Atanda also said, “As part of our Corporate Social Responsibility and giving back to the society, various activities were carried out which included
– One month free ANC registration and booking investigations
– Free Pap smear screening for 1 month
– Health outreach at Ayekale host community
– Environmental sanitation exercise at Orisumbare market and health talk
– health outreach to OSUN state command of Immigration service and FRSC.”
Dr Atanda, in his remarks, after a winner had emerged in the free IVF lottery, said “it is my wish to continue to do this yearly and with the support of friends, the number of free IVF can be increased.”
He also enjoined well meaning people to emulate the gesture by giving back to the society, as there is usually eternal joy and divine reward for such acts.
“The programme ended with prayers for the 46 year old lucky winner with 23 years infertility and other participants who would also be enjoying a N500,000 discount on their cost of IVF,” a statement by Atanda partly read.
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