The dream of parenthood is a profound and cherished aspiration for many couples. However, for those who face years of unsuccessful attempts, fertility clinics often represent their final beacon of hope. In a landmark development for public healthcare in Kerala, the Thrissur Government Medical College Hospital (MCH) has unveiled a brand-new, state-of-the-art fertility clinic, complete with advanced In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) facilities. This initiative marks a monumental stride in making sophisticated infertility treatments accessible within the government sector.
While Thrissur MCH has been operating a fertility clinic since 2014, it previously lacked the crucial IVF component. This gap was successfully bridged in July, with the inauguration of a modern IVF facility. This makes Thrissur MCH only the third government medical college in Kerala, alongside Kottayam and Kozhikode, to provide such highly specialized and advanced fertility care.
Dr. A.V. Deepak, Professor of Gynaecology and Obstetrics at the hospital, emphasized the facility’s core mission: ‘Our goal is to deliver these vital treatments at a significantly lower cost than private institutions.’ He further added, ‘Looking ahead, we envision evolving into a comprehensive Department of Reproductive Medicine, expanding our services even further.’
Currently, the clinic provides a wide array of services designed to address various infertility challenges. These include thorough infertility evaluations, semen analysis, Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). Future plans also encompass establishing a dedicated operation theatre specifically for keyhole (laparoscopic) fertility surgeries.
In line with the government’s commitment to accessibility, the treatment costs are remarkably low. Patients can register for a nominal fee of ₹200. A follicular study costs ₹400, with follow-up scans at just ₹50. IUI procedures are priced at ₹1,000 (or ₹1,500 with donor sperm), and laparoscopic surgeries at ₹5,000. Most notably, IVF treatment, which often costs a fortune elsewhere, is available for just ₹60,000 – a significantly more affordable option compared to private healthcare providers.
Outpatient (OP) services are conveniently available from Monday to Saturday, with dedicated slots for new registrations every Wednesday. A strong emphasis is placed on comprehensive counselling and maintaining the highest ethical standards throughout all treatment processes.
The clinic is efficiently managed by a dedicated team comprising three doctors, a skilled staff nurse, an experienced lab technician, a versatile multipurpose worker, and attentive counter staff. Remarkably, in only two months since its inception, almost 90 couples, both from within Kerala and neighboring regions, have already sought and received treatment, underscoring the immediate impact and profound hope this new facility has brought.