Sri Lanka records first successful IVF birth in state sector

The 31-year-old mother, and her newborn are reported to be in good health

The first successful childbirth following in-vitro fertilization (IVF) conducted within Sri Lanka’s state health sector was carried out yesterday (31) at the North Colombo Teaching Hospital in Ragama.

The delivery was performed via cesarean section and marks the culmination of a year-long effort by the IVF Centre of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya.   

The mother, a 31-year-old woman, and her newborn are reported to be in good health.  

The IVF procedure, which led to this successful birth, was initially carried out last year at the university’s fertility centre. This marks the first time that a child has been born in a government hospital following a state-run IVF programme.  

The cesarean delivery was performed by a medical team led by Professor Rasika Herath, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at the University of Kelaniya, alongside other specialists.  

This milestone birth is also notable as the first successful IVF conception conducted at a state fertility centre, spearheaded by a medical team led by Senior Lecturer and fertility specialist Dr. Suranga Hettipathirana of the same faculty.