By Olugbenga Ige
The JOJE Abebe ART Foundation has called for greater government attention to fertility care as rising costs continue to put In Vitro Fertilisation treatment beyond the reach of many couples.
The foundation stated this in a statement issued on Sunday by its President and Managing Director of Ngozi Abebe Fertility Centre, Dr John Abebe, to mark its fifth anniversary.
According to the statement, the foundation’s Director of Administration, Ngozi Abebe, said the high cost of fertility treatment remains a major challenge for couples, noting that many are discouraged from seeking help because of financial constraints and fear associated with IVF.
“Usually when people talk about IVF, they are scared. Scared because it’s usually very expensive, so what happened was that we came up with the idea that, let’s just make it affordable to those who are interested but don’t have the money,” she said.
She noted, however, that support from public institutions remains limited, adding that fertility treatment is largely financed privately by patients.
“I don’t see a situation where government would just come up and help people fund their treatment, their IVF treatment… Otherwise, people fund their treatment personally,” she said.
She explained that while IVF treatment previously cost about N1.5 million five years ago, current prices now range between N3.5 million and N4.5 million due to inflation, forcing the foundation to gradually increase its discounted rate to about N1.2 million.
Also, the President of the foundation, Dr John Abebe, said the foundation launched the “Be Fruitful Project” on February 14, 2021, offering discounted IVF services to couples unable to afford standard treatment costs.
According to him, about 1,000 people enrolled under the programme, with over 500 pregnancies recorded and more than 300 live births.
He said the initiative was created to bridge the financial gap in fertility care and support couples who might otherwise abandon treatment.
“At the time when IVF was going for 1.5, 1.7 million, we started with a two-cycle for 500 that included medication. Many thought it was a scam. Many did not believe,” he said.
Abebe added that the project has helped about 500 couples successfully deliver babies over the past five years.
“At the last count, we were talking about 500 couples who have delivered and had their babies. So, hundreds have benefited. And we are trusting in God that this time around, in the next 5 years, we’re looking at thousands,” he said.
As part of efforts to widen access, Abebe said the foundation launched the “Access to Parenthood Initiative,” introducing a tiered payment structure that allows couples to pay according to their financial capacity.
“And so today, the Access to Parenthood Initiative was launched… everybody that will come will not all pay the same amount,” Abebe said, stressing that affordability remains the biggest barrier to fertility care in Nigeria.
Abebe said the initiative was inspired by his personal journey.
“Five years ago, we stepped into a vision that many people thought was too ambitious. A vision rooted in compassion, faith and belief that no couple should suffer silently from infertility without support. We called it the Be Fruitful Project, run by the JOJE Abebe ART Foundation,” he said.
Abebe, a gynaecologist, recalled that he and his wife waited about 13 years before they were blessed with twins, an experience that shaped the foundation’s mission.
“So, the decision to set up this foundation was born out of an experience. For over 12 years, my wife we waited on the Lord for the fruit of the womb. And after almost 13 years, the Lord blessed us with the start of twins.
“And on the day of their dedication, the Ngozi Abebe Art Foundation was launched with one simple mission, to turn our pain into gain,” he added.
He said that the foundation said it hopes that with broader partnerships — including potential government involvement — more couples will be able to access fertility treatment and counselling services in the coming years.
Copyright PUNCH
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
