A 46-year-old woman (name withheld) resident in Oyo town, would benefit from a free In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) worth N3 million courtesy of SW Aqua CARES Fertility andWomen Health, a private health facility in Osogbo, Osun.

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 two–six 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 who had obtained form to participate in a lottery meant to commemorate the fifth 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 N2.5 million and N3 million.

Giving details of activities commemorating the 5th anniversary of the hospital and the reason behind the offer of a free IVF, a Consultant Gynecologist, Dr Oluseyi Atanda, who is also the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, explained that the gesture was borne 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 stated: “The management of the hospital decided to give back to society and help hopeless infertile couples. The hospital decided to do a free IVF for a lucky couple. The 5th anniversary of 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 (CSR) and giving back to the society, various activities were carried out which included one month free ANC registration and booking investigation, free pap smear screening for one month, health outreach at Ayekale host community, among others.

He urged eminent Nigerians to emulate the gesture by giving back to society, as there is usually eternal joy and divine reward for such acts. (Nigerian Tribune)