A fertility clinic at a civic hospital in Mumbai has become a ray of hope for couples from lower income groups who desire to have children. The clinic, located at the Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital and Medical College, offers low-cost treatment for infertility. Dr Archana Bhosale, head of the fertility clinic, said that the facility provides assisted reproductive technologies (ART) level-1 treatments at a significantly lower cost compared to private hospitals. The treatments offered include ovulation induction, intrauterine insemination (IUI), fertility medicines, and cycle monitoring. The cost of these treatments at private hospitals ranges from Rs 30,000 to 60,000 per cycle, but at the Sion hospital clinic, the entire treatment costs just Rs 2,500, which also includes providing medicines.
The clinic has already helped 23 women conceive out of the 155 undergoing treatment. One success story comes from a 25-year-old woman who was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD). She sought treatment at the clinic and within a few months, she became pregnant and is now in her sixth month.
Dr Bhosale and her team run the clinic in coordination with the andrology department to address fertility-related issues of male partners of the women undergoing treatment. The clinic is equipped with the necessary machinery, including an ultrasound machine, to enhance the chances of success. Depending on factors such as age, menstrual cycle, and other factors, some patients may require 3 to 6 cycles of treatment, which could cost up to lakhs, making it unaffordable for lower income group couples.
The clinic has attracted patients from poor family backgrounds residing in slum colonies and other parts of Mumbai. The word-of-mouth publicity has been significant, resulting in couples approaching the facility for treatment. The demand has prompted the hospital to plan for more advanced ART procedures, specifically those falling under level-2. They have received a donation of Rs 2.5 crore from a social organization for the procurement of machinery, including embryo storage facility. They have also identified a location in Dharavi for setting up a clinic to provide ART-2 treatment.
Dr Mohan Joshi, the dean of Sion hospital, expressed their commitment to provide IVF treatment at a negligible cost for the poor, thanks to donors. The clinic aims to become a comprehensive fertility treatment center for couples from all income groups.
