Kolkata's SSKM Hospital delivers its first test-tube baby with no treatment charges

Kolkata's SSKM Super Specialty Hospital witnessed the birth of its first test-tube baby free of charge, benefiting a poor couple. Sudarshan Ghosh Dastidar, who oversees the initiative, announced this groundbreaking achievement, stating, "For the first time in India, a test-tube baby has been born in a government hospital completely free of charge." This initiative reflects the government's commitment to making reproductive healthcare accessible to all citizens, regardless of their financial status.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has played a crucial role in this initiative by allocating several crores to develop state-of-the-art medical infrastructure at PG Hospital. This includes the establishment of a specialized department for infertility treatment adjacent to the pediatric department at SSKM Hospital. With this investment, the state aims to provide couples with the opportunity to conceive without the financial burden typically associated with IVF treatments. Dastidar expressed optimism that many more couples will soon experience the joy of parenthood through this initiative.

This achievement also honors the legacy of the late Dr. Subhash Mukhopadhyay, a pioneer in test-tube baby technology in India. Ghosh Dastidar, a close associate of Dr. Mukhopadhyay, has been entrusted with leading this important healthcare advancement. The rapid establishment of the infertility treatment department at SSKM Hospital signifies a major step forward in enhancing reproductive health services in the region.