Kolkata's ESI-PGIMSR and ESIC Medical College and Hospital in Joka has become the first ESI hospital in India to deliver a baby conceived through IVF treatment.
Sonali and Sumanta Ghosh had tried for a child before reaching the department of obstetrics and gynaecology of the ESI hospital, doctors at the facility said.
Sonali gave birth to a very healthy baby boy weighting 2.75 kg on February 18.
The ESI hospital had recently tied up with the private infertility clinic A H IVF and Infertility Research Centre (AHIIRC).
"This is our first success in IVF treatment. It is important because we are now able to provide a solution to childless couples who cannot afford costly treatment at private hospitals. Our patients are mostly in the group of poor labourers," ESI hospital's gynaecological head Dr Joydeb Roy Chowdhury said.
AHIIRC undertakes the IVF treatment phase including ovum pickup, genetic laboratory workup and embryo transfer. The follow-up is then covered by ESI, all the way till the delivery.
AHIIRC's Dr Jayashree Bhattacharya said it was the first time in India that an infertility centre was collaboratively working with a government hospital.
