By Lucas Ajanaku
Punitive cost has been identified as a major constraint to reproductive health and a major reason not so many people are able to explore it. It costs more than N6.5million and not many people have the funds to carry out these procedures, which can sometimes require two to three cycles to achieve success.
Speaking in Lagos during the announcement of the second cycle of Project 40at40 of Ibidunni Ighodalo Foundation (IIF), its Chairman, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, said the success of the first cycle was made possible by the generous donations and support of well-meaning people, corporations and partners.
He said the project was designed to commemorate the first anniversary of the In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) grant which started a year ago when its founder Mrs. Ibidunni Olajumoke Ituah-Ighodalo said her 40th birthday wish was to gift 40 couples with 40 IVF grants.
In collaboration with renowned fertility medical partners, treatments have been administered to beneficiaries of the first cycle, resulting in a number of couples undergoing their gestation period.
He also called for continued support and donations from all and sundry, to enable the foundation carry out this laudable project.
He said IVF and other fertility treatments cost in the range of N6.5million and not many people have the funds to carry out these procedures, which can sometimes require two to three cycles to achieve success.
Its Executive Secretary, Adedayo Richards, said: “Even though not every treatment will result in conception, we are excited with the progress made so far from the first cycle and we are looking forward to working with more couples through their journey to becoming parents.”
The Foundation was founded in 2016 to give couples-in-waiting the chance to become parents, through assisted reproduction, IVF and other fertility treatments which resulted in many years of interventions for struggling parents. This initiative took on a new life upon the founder’s demise; her husband, Pastor Ighodalo decided her wish must be granted.
Currently in its second year, this second cycle commencing on Ibidunni’s birthday anniversary July 19, 2021 is in fulfillment of this wish.
The foundation is totally committed to keeping hope alive, and helping struggling families ease their way into parenthood. Couples needing this intervention can visit the foundation’s website to apply.
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