Empowering the joy of parenthood…Eradicating the stigma of barrenhood” – Dr. Rita Bakshi, Infertility Specialist an Endoscopy Surgeon Chairperson – International Fertility Centre

New Delhi, August 22, 2016: Birth and death are the fundamentals of lifecycle and reproduction forms the basis of survival and continuation of the family and species. Individuals who desire parenthood generally take the ability to reproduce as granted. The realization of infertility comes as a shock to couples and is considered as a catastrophe.

The number of infertile couples has been soaring, with about 48.5 million couples worldwide facing infertility issues, according to 2010 report by WHO. Moreover, the issue of infertility is not just limited to the social and psychological aspects. The most critical aspect of this issue involves the legal intricacies. In most cases as we know, the treatment of infertility issues happens illegally. For example, there are high instances of both surrogate mothers and intended parents getting exploited by middlemen and commercial agencies who earn the profit. The poor, illiterate women of rural background are often persuaded to be surrogates by their spouse or middlemen for earning easy money which greatly affects their health.

Amidst such social, psychological and legal intricacies associated with the sensitive issue of infertility, International Fertility Centre, a network of 10+ IVF clinics in India and Nepal, headquartered in New Delhi, has been successfully helping childless couples with their services including IVF, ICSI, IUI, Egg Donation, Embryo Donation, and Surrogacy. Established in 2012, they have successfully created around 4000 families globally. Other IFC centres in India are located in the states of Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab. The clinic has achieved the highest live baby rates, with 4 out of 10 couples having a baby in their first attempt.

The centre has not just limited its service to medical treatment, but has also worked towards eradicating the stigma associated with infertility and generating awareness. It has launched its training arm under the name of International Institute of Reproduction and Fertility Training (IIRFT) that offers world class Assisted Reproductive Technology training to doctors, embryologists, clinicians and students. With a highly qualified team and accredited courses, IIRFT has trained over 500 candidates so far and has received appreciation from Federation of Obstetrics and Gynae Societies of India.

Along with the growing range of alternative medical solutions to childlessness, surrogacy has emerged as a popular route for many couples. IFC has excelled in carrying out the highest number of successful surrogacy procedures. With the growing importance of giving adequate protection and training to surrogates, IFC has established Upkaar Surrogacy Welfare Trust, first NGO of its kind in India which addresses the issue of surrogacy and works towards surrogate welfare, their roles and responsibilities. It provides a platform for empowering the surrogates by improving their emotional, social and mental well-being through vocational trainings.

Laying the seeds of IFC and its gradual branching are the brainchild of a technocrat, young entrepreneur and social worker, Mr. Saarthak Bakshi, who was chasing his dream of serving the society pertaining to the sensitive issue of infertility.

Post the success of first IVF centre, Saarthak spent laborious hours of extensive research on the infertility-prone regions of North India, deeply affected by this issue. He commenced his research from Rajasthan and gradually ventured into other states. In about five years, Saarthak succeeded in transforming his dream into a career rearing International Fertility Centre and diversifying his existing business strategies for multiplying the success rates in other states of India and Nepal.

As a strategic scaling up move, Saarthak’s vision led the establishment of IFC centres at diverse locations within Nepal, where the problem has been equally or more oppressive. Some of the widely prevalent challenges include low paying capacity of the people and cultural stigma associated with barrenhood, questioning completeness of a woman. After intensive market analysis and research, IFC succeeded in capturing 80% fertility market share. In fact, the first batch gave a stupendous result of 100%, when average is around 40%. The brand established credibility in the Nepal markets and bureaucrats like former Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba sent appreciation to Saarthak for his remarkable work. The appreciation was based on key parameters including –

• Financial growth
• Management effectiveness
• Technological advancement and
• Innovation

Saarthak has also conducted camps for generating awareness in under-developed regions like Ethiopia, Uganda and Afghanistan as these countries do not have access to good infertility treatments and at the same time are known to be politically unstable and pose inherent dangers.

While Saarthak’s passion was driving him to make a positive impact in the lives of people, the freedom that he had with his own enterprise led him to invest in superior technology in laboratories. He procured the most advanced technology for his labs by affiliating with reputed foreign enterprises. Technological adeptness enabled IFC to offer cost effective and affordable treatment to all. IFC has garnered immense credibility in the sector to the extent that the Government of Rajasthan has shouldered them with the responsibility of providing low cost IVF services in 7 major districts of Rajasthan.

Saarthak is a pragmatic dreamer and has mastered the art of taking ventures beyond profitability. He is a missionary entrepreneur driven predominantly by heart and calculates social emancipation as equally as the revenue.

IFC stands for its motto of “Empowering the joy of parenthood…Eradicating the stigma of barrenhood”.

For more information on IVF and Surrogacy treatment or speak directly with renowned Dr. Rita Bakshi pl connect at +91 9910068034

Corporate Comm India(CCI Newswire)