Colombo, October, 2012: The Lanka Hospitals Fertility Centre on 23 October celebrated another historic landmark when it announced the birth of its 400th In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) baby, the highest number by any fertility centre in the country.
Since the centre’s introduction of IVF in 2008, the Fertility Centre of Lanka Hospitals has accomplished 400 births and has over 150 ongoing pregnancies, making it the most successful in Sri Lanka with a 43% success rate in COH IVF cycle.
Speaking at the occasion the CEO of Lanka Hospitals Lakith Peiris said, “The success rate of the fertility centre at Lanka Hospitals is on par with the best IVF centres in the world. The centre has been able to bring joy to hundreds of married couples and their families with the gift of life that they have been longing for years. The skills or our staff, the technological advancements we focus upon, excellence in clinical care, the stringent quality standards we maintain, the commitment, dedication and the passion has contributed to our success and for the Lanka Hospitals Fertility Centre to be amongst the best fertility centres in the world. We are extremely happy and proud to have given life to twins who marked our 399th and the 400th baby and I warmly congratulate the parents.”
The centre also announced that it now uses the latest methods of storing embryos, the process of vitrification, where the embryos are frozen and kept for later use if required and is the only centre in the country that has the ability to perform vitrification. The centre has also introduced the latest method of record keeping, all culture dishes and sperm samples are stored under a specific patient barcode, far simplifying the process of accessing patient data.
Instigated and managed by Dr. Madara Ralapanawe - the clinical embryologist of Lanka Hospitals explained that fertility centre was built in 2007 at a cost of Rs. 75 million and is equipped with the latest technology.
“The team at the Fertility Centre is a dedicated, efficient unit which is essential to run a fertility centre such as ours. The skill level and the knowledge base of the staff is the main reason behind the centre’s success rate,” stated Dr. Madara.
The Fertility Centre consists of a team of highly skilled and specialized doctors, gynecologists, embryologists, endocrinologists, urologists and radiologists who conduct comprehensive testings to identify fertility problems and the root causes. The team, headed by obstetrician and gynecologist – Dr. Nishendra Karunaratne, together with Dr. Madara clinical embryologist carry out many different advance procedures.
“The quality of the service, the positive word of mouth, the high success rate and the reasonable cost of the procedures which has also attracted many international couples from the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States of America, Maldives and the Middle East in addition to the number of Sri Lankans with the hopes of starting a family,” added Dr. Madara explained.
The Director Medical Services, Dr. Wimal Karandagoda speaking at the occasion said, “The quality culture inbuilt to the system has made Lanka Hospitals the benchmark in quality health care delivery. This culture has enabled the fertility centre of Lanka Hospitals to be above the rest of the fertility centres in the country and provide its services efficiently to many who seek our services.”
Photo caption: (From Left) Consultant Gynecologist- Dr. Nishendra Karnaratne, Mr & Mrs Parakrama Abeykoon with the twins and Clinical Embryologist- Dr. Madara Ralapanawe. (Below) The twins S.M. Yomal Mahanela and S.M. Yoshitha Agasthi.
