Test tube baby treatment to begin in Govt. hospitals

Colombo,  January 26 (Daily Mirror) - Sri Lanka is set to introduce test-tube baby treatment, also known as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), at the Castle Street Hospital for Women in Colombo marking the first time such advanced fertility services will be made available at a government hospital.

Director of the Castle Street Hospital for Women Dr. Ajith Kumara Danthanarayana told Daily Mirror that the initiative would significantly expand access to fertility care.

“The new facility is expected to be operational within the next three months. This is an important step in providing advanced reproductive health services through the public healthcare system,”

“Our aim is to ensure that couples who cannot afford expensive private treatment are given a fair opportunity to fulfil their dream of parenthood,” he said.

At present, test-tube baby services are offered only by a limited number of private hospitals in Sri Lanka, with treatment costs ranging between Rs. 2 million and Rs. 3 million per cycle.

IVF is a medical procedure in which an egg is fertilized with sperm outside the body in a laboratory and then transferred to the uterus.

It is commonly used to treat infertility caused by conditions such as blocked fallopian tubes, low sperm count, hormonal disorders, or unexplained infertility.

The availability of IVF in the public sector is considered vital, as infertility affects a growing number of couples and can have significant emotional and social impacts.