I was invited to attend the 7th anniversary of the first in-vitro fertilization (IVF) facility in Mindanao, which was hosted by In-Vitro Fertilization Davao, Inc. (IVF Davao), held on Sunday, October 23, at Lumpini Ballroom, Dusit D2 Hotel.
IVF Davao continues to celebrate life and help infertile parents realize dreams of parenthood. That's why, a mass and a reunion of children conceived through the IVF facility was one of the centerpieces of the daylong anniversary celebration held at the Waterfront Hotel.
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| Photo credit to Mr. Eli Villagonzalo of Elifestylemanila.com |
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| Photo credit to Mr. Eli Villagonzalo of Elifestylemanila.com |
Some parents talked about how IVF Davao helped them become parents, in addition to doing fun things with their families.
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| Welcome Message from Dr. JeanMarie Cabrera-Salvador PRESIDENT - IVF DAVAO INC. Photo credit to Mr. Eli Villagonzalo of Elifestylemanila.com |
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| As of the year 2020, a total of 122 IVF babies, including twins, have been born. Photo credit to Mr. Eli Villagonzalo of Elifestylemanila.com |
I did not attend the event at the Waterfront Hotel, but I did attend the press conference at Dusit D2 Davao.
After the press conference, a lay discussion was held to talk about what causes infertility and bust some common myths about it. Speakers from IVF Davao and Merck Philippines were there to help.
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| Dr. Lourdes Cabling IVF Davao Medical Director |
"We are fulfilled to have been helping many families realize their dreams of having their own children through IVF technology," said Lourdes Cabling. "Throughout our seven-year history, we have welcomed many couples and helped them go through the parenthood journey with comfort, care, and utmost guidance."
IVF for Couples
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| Mr. Jomel Esperat and Dra. Dessa Marie Esperat, IVF Couple with their IVF Baby |
IVF is a medical process in which egg and sperm cells collected from a couple are joined in a laboratory for fertilization. After about two weeks, the fertilized egg or embryo is put into the uterus of the woman to start a pregnancy.
IVF Davao was the very first in vitro fertilization center to open anywhere on the island of Mindanao. Before it opened in 2015, the majority of the country's in vitro fertilization facilities were located in Metro Manila and Cebu. IVF Davao has been offering fertility treatments, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and other forms of assisted reproductive technology not only to couples living in Davao and Mindanao, but also to would-be parents coming all the way from the Sulawesi region in Indonesia.
Egg freezing, sperm freezing, embryo freezing, testicular sperm extraction, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, and fertility counseling are some of the assisted reproductive technology treatments that may be obtained through IVF Davao. It offers treatment and care that is oriented toward the patient, and it is available to people of all ages. The facility has made various investments in various pieces of machinery in order to adopt the most recent fertility technology.
Mr. and Mrs. Esperat's accounts of IVF procedures and their ability to manage everything physically, emotionally, and financially have been enlightening. Given Dra. Esperat's comorbidity, the timeline they've traversed is incredibly remarkable. I am speechless after hearing about the suffering they have endured and how they have overcome it.
Reproductive expertise support
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| Mr. Henry Wilson Managing Director and General Manager of Merck, Inc (MERCK) |
"Merck is happy to support IVF Davao, which we consider as a milestone in itself in terms of making the technology available to more Filipino families. This is in line with our company's commitment to building families amd enabling many couples to achieve their dreams of becoming parents, " said Henry Wilson.
Merck Inc. is the Philippine affiliate of the global pharmaceutical firm Merck KGaA, a global market leader in fertility treatments. It has actively supported fertility health in the country by participating in lay discussions and dissiminating disease-related information. Through its JOURNEY TO PINOY PARENTHOOD page on Facebook, Merck helps increase public awareness about infertility and its related health issues.
Apart from infertility, Merck offers a variety of treatment options to challenge difficult diseases in the areas of immunology, oncology, and cardio metabolism, among other therapeutic areas.
During the panel questioning, I ask Mr. Wilson, "What Merck doing for patients and the public in the area of fertility?"
Here's an excerpt from his answer:
Infertility in Philippines
According to a 2011 study conducted by the market research firm Synovate, around 10% of Filipino couples are infertile. In 2004, the United Nations Development Program said that about 8 percent of couples in the Philippines were unable to have children.
Infertility is defined by the World Health Organization as not being able to get pregnant after 12 months or more of regular, unprotected sexual activity.
According to medical professionals, infertility is caused by various variables, including genetics, lifestyle, age, and a couple's overall health.
For more information, you may visit IVF Davao located at Brokenshire Women's Center Building, Brokenshire Hospital, Madapo Hills, Davao City. Or contact these numbers 082 298 0311 or 0927 2019568.
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