MUHIMBILI National Hospital has inaugurated a 1.1bn/- in vitro fertilization (IVF) service to support individuals with fertility problems.

Vice President Dr. Philip Mpango officiated at the launching in Dar es Salaam yesterday, where he also received a donated mobile clinic van, activating cochlear implant sets for 14 children at the top medical facility.

Despite its extravagant charges, the facility is expected to reduce the stigma associated with childlessness among women, which the medical team there says upwards of 30 percent of the hospital’s daily patients suffer such drawbacks.

The VP said that the new IVF service represents a significant advancement in expectations for families struggling with long-term fertility challenges.

Up to now such services had to be sought in India or Turkey for a section of upper income families, while the new facility will be more affordable and handy even with its $5,000 flat charge for the service.

"It is time for the country to rely on local specialists for skilled treatments to reduce the high costs of expert medical care abroad,” he said, underlining the government’s wish to further build the capacity of local experts to use, maintain top level medical equipment.

The project began in 2019, costing 1.1bn/- altogether from domestic sources, he said, describing the situation as a great relief that IVF services are now available in public hospitals.

Earlier such facilities were initiated in private hospitals in Arusha and Dar es Salaam, along with flying to South Africa, Turkey or Kenyan facilities for treatment, he said, also praising the cochlear implant service.

"I urge our specialists to focus on speech therapy for these children so that those with cochlear implants can begin to speak," he pleaded, pointing out that the mobile clinic van will enhance MNH ability to reach patients in various communities.

This capacity is aligned with the hospital's goal of providing outdoor specialised services periodically when feasible, officials had affirmed.

Prof. Mohamed Janabi, the MNH executive director, explained that the IVF programme will initially treat 10 women already attending the clinic. There are ten available specialists while the relevant equipment can preserve embryos for upwards of 30 years, he stated.

He referred to data findings that 35 percent of infertility cases are due to male inability and 65 percent relates to female inadequacies, where three to four among every 10 women visiting the clinic have fertility challenges.

This brings distress to families, in which case the hospital moved to invest 1.1bn/- in procuring the necessary equipment now that it has the relevant expertise, he said, noting that women currently not ready to conceive, or are studying, can conveniently store their eggs at the facility. 

Prof. Janabio praised government support for the project, airing expectations that MNH will be hosting experts from various areas as part of extended capacity building efforts.

The mobile clinic vehicle cost $200,000 and is meant to reach people in particular locations when the need arises,  meanwhile as the hospital has conducted cochlear implants for 84 children, with 73 having both ears fitted and 11 needing it in one ear.

Jenista Mhagama, the Health minister, said that the government’s goal is to ensure that health services are accessible to all people, thus needing to reduce medical and specialised treatment costs.