ALTHOUGH the history of In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) goes back to more than half a century, the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, (UITH), Ilorin, Kwara State is recording greater feats by the day through the application of the scientific reproductive system on patients with reproductive deformities.

Complex as these breakthroughs seem to be, Nigerian obstetrics and gynecology experts seem to have mastered the act as they on a daily basis today been putting smiles on the faces of many couples already stigmatized as barren through the IVF.

In Nigeria at present and some other developing nations of the world, IVF is being widely used as an effective treatment for infertility caused by various factors including endometriosis, blocked fallopian tubes, male factor infertility, low sperm count or motility, advanced female age, reduced ovarian reserve and unexplained infertility.

However, one Nigerian hospital at moment stands out among many others in the country in the area of the effective usage of the IVF. This is the UITH, which on Saturday, October 3 this year delivered a 39-year-old woman, Tairat Tunrayo Akorede of triplets: two males and a female.

The three healthy babies weighing 2.03, 1.88 and 1.74Kgs respectively, according to Dr Lukman Omakanye, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist and Reproductive Medicine Clinician of the UITH, “are in stable conditions.”

Omokanye, who cited medical ethics, simply described the development as “scientific”, noting that the erroneous notion that barrenness was caused by witches and wizards should be jettisoned.

UITH Chief Medical Director, Professor Abdulwaheed Olatinwo said the hospital’s management established the IVF section a few months ago to halt frequent “medical tourism” abroad by many Nigerians with challenges of conception.

According to Olatinwo: “We sent out some of our staff to train abroad in the area of IVF in order to put smiles on the faces of Nigerians. Today, Nigerians from all walks of life come here with varying degrees of infertility, and such challenges are becoming a thing of the past through the IVF unit of the UITH.

Even though the IVF of this hospital had assisted in bringing into existence many children, this will be the first time triplets have been delivered via the IVF at the UITH. The reason why we are saying this to the public is to give them the needed information on what can be done here. They should stop going abroad for medical tourism. It saves costs and prevents stress associated with long travelling.

Already, the UITH, buoyed by its successes, recently commissioned a sprawling IVF centre adjoining the Very Important Personality (VIP) ward of the hospital. Prof Olatinwo said the gesture was to remove stigma from IVF patients of the hospital and to guarantee their maximum comfort in line with the UITH policy of making the hospital a one-stop gap tertiary health institution in Africa.

Some of the required tests that could at present be carried out on the IVF patients at the hospital include: Hormone blood tests: FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone), AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone), TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone), E2 (Estradiol) and Prolactin, and Trans-vaginal ultrasound scan; Antral Follicle Count.

Recounting her ordeal to The Guardian, the proud mother of the triplets, Mrs Akorede said she had visited countless orthodox and unorthodox centres for help to no avail. The commonest report she got was that she could no longer have a baby of her own.
“I got here (UITH) at the middle of February this year. My husband and I were made to pass through some medical procedures and treatments and I am happy with the results we have gotten today. God has silenced my adversaries and has put laughter at last in my mouth. I therefore urge those who are in the condition I was in the recent past not to be discouraged but look for solution where it is proper,” she said.

She praised all the medical staff that attended to her. “The nurses  took me from the bed into the operating theatre, smiling at me and telling me with reassuring comments that all would be well. Even before the doctors commenced their work that day, they threw banters at me and when the anesthetist administered a sedative, I knew all indeed would be well.”

On his part, 40-year-old husband said: “I am speechless”. He sobbed as he glanced at God’s gifts to his family. He added: “My days of mourning are finally over. It is like a dream to me. I love my wife the more for joining me in trusting in God. I am grateful to God, to my people in Kishi town in Oyo State and indeed this hospital and all its wonderful staff.”

The mother and the babies were discharged from the hospital five days later having certified them fit enough to live outside the hospital environment.