The JOJE Abebe ART Foundation has urged greater government support for fertility care, highlighting the rising costs of In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatment, which place it out of reach for many couples. The foundation made this call in a statement issued on Sunday by its President, Dr. John Abebe, Managing Director of the Ngozi Abebe Fertility Centre, to mark its fifth anniversary. According to the foundation, financial constraints and fear associated with IVF discourage many couples from seeking treatment, and public institution support remains limited, with most fertility care financed privately.
The foundation noted that IVF costs have increased sharply over the past five years, rising from approximately N1.5 million to between N3.5 million and N4.5 million due to inflation. To address this, the foundation has gradually offered discounted rates, currently around N1.2 million, to make treatment more accessible. Dr. Abebe highlighted the “Be Fruitful Project,” launched on February 14, 2021, which provides discounted IVF services to couples unable to afford standard treatment. Since its inception, the programme has enrolled about 1,000 participants, resulting in over 500 pregnancies and more than 300 live births, helping hundreds of couples achieve parenthood.
To further increase access, the foundation introduced the “Access to Parenthood Initiative,” a tiered payment system allowing couples to pay according to their financial capacity. Dr. Abebe emphasized that affordability remains the primary barrier to fertility care in Nigeria, and the initiative is designed to ensure that more couples can receive treatment and counselling regardless of income.
The foundation’s mission is rooted in Dr. Abebe’s personal experience with infertility. He and his wife waited 13 years before having twins, an experience that inspired the creation of the JOJE Abebe ART Foundation and its programs to support couples facing similar challenges. Dr. Abebe expressed hope that broader partnerships, including potential government involvement, will expand access to fertility treatment and counselling services in the coming years, helping more couples overcome infertility and achieve parenthood.
