THE Dr. Balwant Singh’s Hospital on Tuesday launched its In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) programme, making it the first medical facility here to offer such a service. 

According to Dr. Madhu Singh, the programme began in January of this year and the hospital was patiently awaiting the results in order to officially launch it.
The first IVF baby conceived in Guyana was birthed on the September 16, 2014. Dr. Singh advised the public that both the mother and baby are doing well, and were discharged from the hospital on the 18th September 2014.
This proved that the process was successful and will now prove beneficial to couples that have tried simpler methods and failed to conceive.

Dr. Singh further stated that it is the only option for patients with low sperm counts, blocked fallopian tubes or prolonged, unexplained infertility.
It is also the only option for patients using donor sperm or donor eggs, as well as those women who have severe uterine problems or have lost their Uterus to surgery and wish to have a baby, these women can use surrogates to carry their babies.
The programme is also beneficial because, before the IVF programme was introduced by the Dr. Balwant Singh’s Hospital, the Guyanese patients had to travel to Trinidad and Barbados which entailed multiple visits, travelling and hotel expenses etc…
She further stated that they have processed 56 patients so far in the IVF programme, but unfortunately the success rate around the world is 30-40%, IVF does not ever equal 100% as Dr. Singh said.
Dr. Singh stated that the cost to the patient per cycle of treatment is approximately equivalent to US$8000 due to the high cost of medications; and also because there are precise equipment that are needed in order to carry out this process.
Dr. Madhu Singh in her closing stated that they do not evaluate one person and that a couple is necessary for evaluation, because both male and femaleshave to undergo various tests in order to begin the process.

(By Navendra Seoraj)