The National Fertility Centre has celebrated a series of early milestones, announcing that 23 women have successfully conceived through in vitro fertilisation (IVF) during the facility’s first year of operation, with two babies already born.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed attended the ceremony heald at Dharumavantha Hospital on Tuesday, which highlighted the achievements of the Centre since its inception. The first IVF birth was recorded on 7 January 2026, signalling a significant step forward for specialised fertility care in the Maldives.

Established on 17 November 2024 at Dharumavantha Hospital, the National Fertility Centre was set up to provide IVF and intrauterine insemination (IUI) services locally. The facility was equipped with modern technology from the outset, and its staff underwent specialised training abroad prior to commencement of services.

Over the past year, the centre has delivered comprehensive fertility care, beginning with counselling and assessment, followed by diagnosis of infertility causes, IVF treatment, and close monitoring of pregnancies through scans and blood tests. Medical teams continue to support mothers and babies through delivery and postnatal care.

Figures released at the event, 578 couples received counselling services during the year. Of these, 96 were selected for IVF treatment, eggs were collected from 86 women, and embryos were implanted in 68 cases.

President Dr Muizzu continually said the centre’s progress demonstrates the benefits of expanding specialised health services domestically. He has noted that IVF treatment had previously required expensive overseas travel and said the establishment of the centre, alongside expanded Aasandha support, reflected the Government’s commitment to easing the burden on families and strengthening healthcare services in the Maldives.