The Eastern Cape Provincial Government has marked a major milestone in public healthcare delivery with the successful unveiling of the In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) Clinic at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital (NMAH) in Mthatha, positioning the institution as one of only four public hospitals in South Africa to offer IVF services. Led by Health MEC Ntandokazi Capa, the initiative represents a significant step forward in expanding access to specialised reproductive healthcare, particularly for communities that had limited or no access to fertility treatment.

Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, the only central hospital in the Eastern Cape, plays a critical role as a referral facility for rural and remote communities across the north-eastern part of the province. Serving an estimated population of 3.6 million people, the hospital s expansion into advanced reproductive medicine reinforces its mandate to deliver quaternary and highly specialised healthcare services.

MEC Capa said the establishment of the IVF Clinic closes a long-standing gap in reproductive health services in the province. She noted that infertility, affecting an estimated 10 15% of couples has deep social, psychological and cultural consequences, particularly for women in rural communities. The introduction of IVF services within the public health sector offers renewed hope to families who previously faced significant financial and geographical barriers to accessing treatment”, she said.

The clinic is fully equipped and operational, supported by a highly skilled multidisciplinary team comprising two sub-specialists in Reproductive Medicine, one embryologist and three advanced midwife nurses. This dedicated team ensures that patients receive quality, evidence-based care aligned with national health standards.

The launch of the IVF Clinic at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital marks a transformative moment for reproductive healthcare in the Eastern Cape, maintaining the province s determination to bring advanced medical services closer to the people.