Foundation Offers 10 Free IVF Slots as Over 150 Families Seek Assistance

Amina Hassan

The Circle Mom Fertility Foundation has offered 10 free in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) sponsorship slots to financially disadvantaged couples after receiving applications from more than 150 families seeking help with fertility treatment.

The foundation’s founder, Dr Charles Ojeabuo, disclosed this on Saturday in Abuja at its first anniversary celebration and IVF sponsorship programme, calling for more support to enable it to assist additional families.

Ojeabuo noted that the foundation had provided 1,500 free fertility consultations and registrations in its first year, alongside discounted treatment programmes for couples seeking care.

He said infertility often comes with financial and emotional difficulties, affecting relationships and careers, with some women forced to leave their jobs while undergoing treatment.

Citing the World Health Organisation’s estimate that one in six people experience infertility during their lifetime, he appealed to corporate organisations, philanthropists and individuals to help expand the foundation’s sponsorship programme.

“We have a lot of work to do. The list of people that applied this year were over 150 families, and we will just take 10,” he said.

The foundation’s patron, Dr Rose Anthony-Orianran, said her decision to support the initiative was influenced by personal experiences of infertility within her family.

She recalled pledging on her birthday to sponsor six women through fertility treatment before approaching Ojeabuo to help make the plan a reality.

Anthony-Orianran said the cost and emotional strain of infertility could put pressure on marriages and family relationships, urging those who could afford it to support couples struggling to access treatment.

The event also brought attention to the need for regulation of assisted reproductive technology in Nigeria.

For some beneficiaries, the foundation’s intervention came after years of trying to overcome fertility challenges.

Paul Mbanugo said he and his family had spent about 14 years seeking a solution, travelling across the country in search of treatment.

He described the experience as emotionally difficult, particularly because of the pressure couples often face from relatives and others over their inability to conceive. He thanked the foundation and its donors for their support and urged them to extend the assistance to other families.

Another beneficiary, Celestina Spurgeon, expressed gratitude to the foundation, saying its intervention had brought joy to her family.