It is nearly a year since in vitro fertilisation (IVF) service was introduced in Rwanda, a feat that has helped couples with complications in conceiving get babies.

Five children have been born in the country using the technology since October last year.

The service, which is being offered by Mediheal Diagnostic and Fertility Centre, a private medical facility operating from Kimihurura Sector in Kigali, involves taking the female gamete (ovum) from a woman and the male gamete (sperm) from a man and fertilising them in a laboratory.

Subsequently, often after three or four days, the fertilised egg is implanted into the woman’s uterus, who carries the pregnancy until she gives birth.

Dr Eugène Ngoga, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Mediheal Diagnostic and Fertility Centre, said the technology has been a success in Rwanda.

"Children conceived using this technology were delivered normally and are in a good state,” he said.

The service is being offered by a team of about seven IVF medics, including laboratory workers and embryologists.

Dr Ngoga said the delay in the introduction of IVF was mainly due to the high costs associated with it.

He said the equipment and medicine used for the procedure have to be imported. The equipment used is worth about $300,000 (approx. Rwf225 million).

"The laboratory needs regular maintenance, which is also costly,” he added.

To access the service, a couple has to pay Rwf3.5 million, but Dr Ngoga said this is cheaper than previously when people sought the service outside the country.

"Some people would go abroad and pay between $10,000 and $15,000 (about Rwf7.5m to Rwf11.3m) for the service, excluding the airfare, and they had to leave their work for some time. But now, they can easily access the service within the country,” he said.

He said they serve between 30 and 40 women per day currently.

Dr Donatilla Mukamana, the dean of School of Nurses and Midwifery at the University of Rwanda’s College of Medicine and Health Sciences, said introducing the IVF services in Rwanda is a big stride in the health sector.

"Previously, people used to travel to South Africa and Europe to get the service. So bringing it here is welcome and will be of help to many families,” she said.

"It is a milestone,” she said.

Proposal for the needy to access the service

Dr Ngoga said they want the service to benefit more Rwandans having difficulties getting children.

"We will engage insurance companies to see what they can do to support their members to get the service. The cost of the service is high for some people. It would be better if they got support from the insurers,” he said.

IVF birth was first recorded in 1978. Robert G. Edward, a British physiologist and pioneer in reproductive medicine, who developed IVF treatment, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology in 2010.

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