13th September, 2010
In the spirit of Nigeria’s 50th independence anniversary celebration, an Ikeja- based specialist hospital, St Ives Hospital, through its St Ives Foundation is offering 50% discount for health solutions in the area of Invitro-Fertilisation (IVF) to childless couples who ordinarily wanted the IVF option but could not afford to pay for the service.
According to the Chief Medical Director of the Hospital, Dr. Tunde Okewale, “the cost of a normal a cyle of IVF treatment has been reduced by 50% including the cost of injection, drugs and treatmentâ€.
Okewale added the special offer will run through the month of October, but for couples to enjoy this discounted rate, they must register for the treatment between September 13 and 27, 2010 after which the former rate would apply.
While explaining the rationale behind the initiative, the Chief Medical Director maintained that the management of the hospital decided to slash the cost of treatment in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Nigeria, noting that the IVF method of assisted pregnancy is one of the gains recorded in the health sector since the country gained independence from her colonial masters.
“This is our own little way of wishing the country a happy 50th birthday anniversary. It presents a rare opportunity for couples who have been married for years to come to our hospital and receive world class IVF treatment that will bring joy and laughter to their lives forever, instead of wallowing in pain and being miserable,†Okewale further said.
Over the years, the hospital has successfully delivered close to 200 IVF babies. Just recently, the hospital delivered the oldest IVF mother in Nigeria, 57-year-old Mrs. Adeyemi Taiwo, of a bouncing baby girl. This was achieved through the Invitro-Fertilization (IVF) Unit of the specialist hospital.