IVF Treatment to Be Introduced at Government Hospitals in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is set to make a major advancement in public healthcare with the introduction of test-tube baby treatment (In Vitro Fertilization – IVF) at the Castle Street Hospital for Women in Colombo, marking the first time such a service will be available at a government hospital.

Director of the Castle Street Hospital for Women, Dr. Ajith Kumara Danthanarayana, said the initiative will greatly improve access to fertility treatment for couples across the country. He noted that the new IVF facility is expected to become operational within the next three months.

“This is a significant milestone in strengthening reproductive health services in the public healthcare system,” Dr. Danthanarayana said. “Our objective is to ensure that couples who are unable to afford costly private-sector treatments are given an equal opportunity to fulfil their dream of becoming parents.”

Currently, IVF services in Sri Lanka are offered only by a limited number of private hospitals, with treatment costs ranging from Rs. 2 million to Rs. 3 million per cycle, placing them beyond the reach of many families.

IVF is a medical procedure where fertilisation takes place outside the body in a laboratory, after which the embryo is transferred to the uterus. It is widely used to treat infertility caused by factors such as blocked fallopian tubes, low sperm count, hormonal imbalances, and unexplained infertility.

Health experts emphasise that the introduction of IVF to the public sector is a crucial step, as infertility affects a growing number of couples and often carries deep emotional and social consequences. This move is expected to ease both the financial and psychological burden faced by many hopeful parents across the country.