The Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) has launched an In Vitro fertilisation (IVF) unit, offering assisted reproductive procedures for women struggling with infertility. Dr. Stephen Hwande, Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, disclosed this to the press in Makurdi.
Dr. Hwande explained that the establishment of the IVF unit aims to provide accessibility to women facing infertility challenges, highlighting the scarcity of IVF services in Nigerian public hospitals due to their high cost. He noted that BSUTH’s involvement in IVF puts it on the map among teaching hospitals offering such services.
A total of 25 women dealing with infertility issues have been scheduled for IVF services at the hospital between April and May 2024. Dr. Hwande noted that these women constitute the hospital’s inaugural group to undergo IVF procedures, which will be conducted at the Muhammadu Buhari annex of the hospital. He mentioned that Governor Hyacinth Alia has directed the subsidisation of services for these women in the first batch.
Expressing gratitude to Governor Alia for approving the recruitment of 400 new staff for the hospital, Dr. Hwande highlighted the significance of this action in fulfilling the governor’s campaign promises aimed at reducing unemployment among youths. Among the new hires are 60 medical doctors, 140 nurses, and other staff to fill critical positions within the teaching hospital, including neurosurgeons, plastic surgeons, and paediatric surgeons.