IVF Cost at the Nairobi IVF Centre, Kenya – great information!
The following reply to my letter requesting information on IVF cost, IVF success rates and the IVF procedure was received from Nairobi IVF Centre in Kenya the day after I made the request.
This is a great response, Mr Olegs Tucs has answered all of my questions directly – I have added the approximate US$ values in red, he had already converted them to Euros for me. The success rates for my age group appear very good, although as I have mentioned elsewhere on this blog it is very difficult to compare there.
Overall I think this is a great response and Mr Tucs will certainly be going on my shortlist. The full contact details for the clinic are:
The Nairobi IVF Centre Limited
LandMark Plaza, Mezzanine floor
Argwings Kordhek Road
P.O. Box 29748 00202
Nairobi
Kenya
Tel/Fax 254 20 2731978/82
e-mail:
NairobiIVF@gmail.com
noreh@africaonline.co.ke
If you check out the website there is a full list of costs, their current success rates and a very useful dictionary of infertility for people like myself who are not too well clued up on all of the jargon! I have contacted Mr. Olegs Tucs on a number of occassions and he is VERY approachable and willing to answer all questions.
Here’s Mr. Olegs Tucs reply:
Thank You a lot for the interest in our services.
Please see answers below:
> What is the current success rate for your clinic? (preferably by age as I know that the success rate will be much lower for somebody of my age)
Success rate for the first 6 months of 2008 is 41% of clinical pregnancies per cycle started. For the age group over 40 we have much lower success rate of 23 %, for egg donation programm the overall success rate is 56 %. Now we are going to publish our results in East Africa Medical Journal, so hopefully in short time the most detailed information will be available.
An average of 140 IVF/ICSI cycles per year
We do not have an age limit for IVF with donor eggs, in case of own eggs we do not do the treatment if FSH level on menstrual cycle Day 2-3 is higher than 17 mUI/ml. So we actually do not look at the age but at ovarian reserve as such.
We are unable to do sex selection and PGD. Otherwise we try to find suitable solution for every case.
We prefer to transfer no more than 2 embryos, but final decision is base on embryo quality and patients medical history.
The basic cost is KSHS 300,000 (appr. EUR 3000) (approx. US$4,100) incl. medications.
ICSI (microinjection) if necessary – 20,000 KSHS (EUR 200) (approx. US$275), first consultation KSHS 2000 (approx. US$28), sperm analysis if not done elsewhere in 6 months before the treatment, KSHS 2000 (approx US$28). Health screen and hormonal profiling if not done elsewhere in 6 months before the treatment, KSHS 30,000. (approx. US$410) I can provide more information what tests are necessary if You need so.
In such a case You have to pay only for what have been done. Price breakdown will be given in details. If the first cycle fails we offer second attempt at KSHS 250,000. (approx. US$3,430)
Ideally for the whole duration of treatment – it is ca. 3 weeks if You have a regular cycle. You can also do ovarian stimulation locally under supervision of local specialist and come for actual procedure only. Stay time will not exceed one week then and You will have to pay about half-price- that is laboratory expences.
We can arrange both flight and accommodation incl. airport transfer if necessary. Or we may give You hotel details and You can arrange the accommodation on Your own.
First we need some information about Your medical history, please see the application form attached. Based on information we have the treatment schedule will be set up.
Normally You will get medications on Your first visit to us. Alternatively we can give You the list of medications necessary so You can get those at Your location.
Several ( at least 2) ultrasound check ups are necessary during stimulation and we do it locally at the Clinic.
On the first scan ovarian response is determined as number and size of follicles growing and we will follow You up every two days to keep the stimulation under control.
It depends where in UK You live. We have specialists in London, but elsewhere You may need to find out who is experienced IVF specialist in Your area.
So far there are no appropriate regulatory bodies for IVF in Kenya so we are registered as private gynecological clinic at the medical board.
Hope I have provided at least some information You need and You are welcome to ask more questions if by chance something is missing. In Your case FSH blood level is the most important criteria for us to decide if we can do IVF.
Kind regards,
MD Mr. Olegs Tucs
The Nairobi IVF Center Ltd.
www.nairobiivf.com
UPDATE: August 2011
I have just had some updated prices from the Nairobi IVF Centre – it’s not that the prices have increased but more a case that they have included more in their package. Here is the information I have been given:
“We have increased prices for treatment effective from this months – IVF now costs KSHS 320,000 (USD 3555) and ICSI KSHS 340,000 (USD 3777), but price now includes luteal support up to 10th week of pregnancy. IVF with donor oocytes KSHS 410,000 (USD 4555) including donor fee and luteal support.
As we have switched to extended culture and vitrification, frozen embryo transfer now costs KSHS 50,000 (USD 555).
Our charges are still in Kenya shilling, so amount in USD is subject to exchange rate.
All the best
Olegs Tucs”
I am 40 yrs old ,I have delivered twice through C/S .I had TL done during my second delivery unfortunately six years later I lost the second child. I then went for tuboplasty at a gynae centre with hopes of conceiving again but this has not worked instead my tubes got blocked further and I also developed uterine fibroids which has further complicated my case.Now my periods are very irrregular and I still have the desire of getting another child . CAN IVF WORK FOR ME EVEN BY USING THE DONOR OVUM?
Att: Phoebe
Use of donor eggs is a good option in Your case. But first of all You have to take care of fibroids. If fibroids are big and/or positioned in a way they distort uterine lining, they are to be removed before IVF. So first of all, visit Your gynecologist or come to us with recent ultrasound scans to assess fibroids and see the way forward.
Best regards,
MD Mr. Olegs Tucs
The Nairobi IVF Center Ltd.
http://www.nairobiivf.com
Hi
Doc oleg
Am Malia from lethoso.I do the ivf last months.ET was on 24-jan then 2ww was 7 feb,I had the first beta was 30 on 14days Post embro transfer,Then 3 days later i did again and the beta was 134,i did again later in 4 days(22PET) beta was 400.My doctor is worrying and say its not doubled it was expecred
Do you think there is a chance of progressing with pregnancy with that rising?Please just tell me honestly.I have sligtly cramp with brown discharge from yesterday,
Next i have to see my RE as i called,
Please may advice as soon as you see these message i wait.
thank you so much and am very greatful. there is not way that this amount can reduce from 320,000. could you plz enquire for me the amount charged for ivf service and sperm donor in eldoret. and the rate of success
Thank you. you give such insightful information on this subject and i am really grateful. i am from Kampala Uganda i had IVF in 2009 but lost the babies at 20 weeks. i would like to try again in 2013 (currently in school and finish in NOvember 2012) i will be 37 in December 2012. my two questions are
– what is your current fee for IVF seeing that it changed in August 2011
– is 38 to late to have IVF
Att: Elizabeth
Our IVF fee is KSHS 320,000 and we have no plans to increase it.
38 is not too late for IVF, although it is proven fact that success rate declines after 35. To better estimate what are Your chances, I would advice to have blood tests for FSH and AMH to be done 1-2 months before IVF. FSH has to be done in first 4 days of Your period , AMH any day.
Best regards.
Olegs Tucs
The Nairobi IVF Centre Ltd
Att: Mary
We have fixed price for IVF.
I have no information about the success rates of Eldoret Clinic. See Your e-mail for their contacts.
Best regards,
Olegs Tucs
The Nairobi IVF Centre Ltd
Do you also do sperm washing for hiv+ men who want to concieve? What are the requirements.
Att: Bonny
Yes, we do sperm wash for HIV+ . It will cost extra KSHS 10,000 on top of procedure charges
You should visit us with recent semen analysis results and see doctor.
Best regards,
Olegs Tucs
The Nairobi IVF Centre Ltd
HAE!AM leilah,i did the ivf treatment starting last month,the embryo transfer was on 6 these month,on 13 i discover vagina bleeding.unfortunately on 18 the pregnant test was negative.what could have gone wrong coz ineed to try again.
Dear Dr,
I have been diagnosed with bilateral tubal blockage with two ovarian cysts. My partner and i have decidede to do ivf at your clinic. Firstly does my partner have to be there at the preliminary consultation? when are his tests done? also what happens at the second and third consultattion? lastly would you consider implanting three embryos?
Thank you
Att: Agnes
you are most welcome to visit us for IVF treatment.
It is the best if You come together with the partner as his tests can be done on the same day.
During the first visit You will talk with Dr. Joshua Noreh, be given information about how we do IVF in our Centre and husband can do his semen analysis and blood tests for infectious diseases on the same day. Keep in mind man has to abstain from ejaculation 2-4 days before analysis.
Also during first visit Dr will inform You what tests You have to do and on subsequent visits he will review the results and give You exact treatment schedule.
We are open for consultations every day 9AM – 2PM except Sundays. Appointments are done first come first served.
Normally we transfer 2-3 embryos depending on embryo quality.
Best regards,
Olegs Tucs
The Nairobi IVF Centre Ltd
Greetings Dr,
My partner and I have set the tentative date for travel for our first consultation for Saturday 17th March – a six am flight. Would it be okay if we took the required tests here in Tanzania HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Syphilis, Haemogram, Blood Group , pelvic exam and hormone exams for both male and female) and brought you the results or would you prefer to do it yourselves?
I also have the results of my TVS and HSG taken in December 2011. Would these also be relevant?
Thank you.
Att: Agnes,
It is OK for You to come on 17th March, Dr Noreh will see You when You come. It is OK to do all the tests in Tanzania and come with results, please also carry December reports for TVS and HSG.
Best regards,
Olegs Tucs
How are you Dr.
My sperm count, after testing twice is 10m and 9m. My Dr. said that was not enough to fertilize the egg. All other tests on me were okay. Tests done on my wife show nothing is wrong.
My question is how can you help us get pregnant? What will be the cost of the service that you recommend? How much time we will need to stay in Nairobi for the treatment, if we have all the necessary tests done before arriving?
Thank you.
Att: Nicodemus
In Your case the most appropriate treatment is ICSI. It costs KSHS 340,000 at Nairobi IVF and stay time is 3 weeks. Keep in mind that treatment has to be started in first 3 days of Your wife period.
Best regards,
Olegs Tucs
Dear Dr.
We have completed the tests and are now preparing for travel. However we feel demoralized by the pelvic scan. Is there any other email address we can use to send it to you in advance so you may advise us if you will still accept to do the ivf? There have been no responses to any of our earlier emails we sent on nairobiivf@gmail.com nor noreh@africaonline.co.ke. Is there another email adress i can use?
Many thanks.
Your responses help us plan better and know more.
I am a 34year old lady. I have tried to conceive for the past 5 years unsuccessfully, I have been diagnosed with PCOS, my right fallopian tube is blocked (cornual occlussion) and AML is at 9.6. My doctor had advised that it is possible to get pregnant and had put me on a combination of Letroz & gonal F and later just gonal F 75IU. On both occassions, once I finished my dosage, the scans showed that the eggs stopped growing as soon as the stimulation stopped.
My question is, if I was to proceed with IVF at your centre, what would be the expected costs, as well as period taken? I will really appreciate your response.
Att: Carol
It is possible to have an IVF in Your situation. The cost at Nairobi IVF is KSHS 320,000. Whole treatment takes 3 weeks and must be started in first 3 days of Your period.
Kindly contact Dr Joshua Noreh noreh@africaonline.co.ke for more information.
Best regards
Olegs Tucs
Att: Agnes
The only active e-mail for Dr. Joshua Noreh noreh@africaonine.co.ke
I myself have finished work at Nairobi IVF Centre in February 2012.
Hope You will get response from Dr Noreh soon.
Best regards,
Olegs Tucs
how much does artificial insemination cost?
Att: Sylvia
In the Nairobi IVF Centre artificial insemination costs KSHS 10,000 in natural cycle. In case if it is need for some ovarian stimulation before the procedure You will have to buy medicines at the cost of around KSHS 20,000.
Best regards,
Olegs Tucs
my husband and i have decided to pursue iui with donor sperm coz has no spermatozoa at all what is the cost for the service. please guide me.
cost of iui with donor sperm and how long does it take. thanks in advance.
Hi I have been to see a gynae who recommended I do a HSG due to recurrent pains in my uterus during ovulation. I would like to know how much it costs and if you carry out at your clinic.
Att: Neema,
HSG is not done in Nairobi IVF, but You can do it in any major hospital in Nairobi.
Best regards,
Olegs Tucs
Att: Mary
IUI with donor sperm at the Nairobi IVF costs KSHS 30,000 in natural cycle. If it is need for additional ovarian stimulation with medicines, You may pay extra KSHS 20,000 – 40,000 depending on dose of medicine as determined by doctor.
You will also need 1-2 visits to the clinic for follicular tracking to confirm date of IUI. Procedure itself takes few minutes.
Best regards,
Olegs Tucs
Hi Dr. Noreh
Thnks for the work you are doing to frustrated couples. I am still a frustrated fellow. You recall I tried IVF at your clinic 4 times with donated egg without a success in 2009 and you requested me to have a rest. In fact the urge for the baby is still high and i feel much frustrated. i hv been following olegs emails and I saw one of his emails mentioning bilateral hydrosulphinx can have effects on embryos. might it be the cause of my unsuccessful since i was done HSG in 2005 and the scan showed bilateral hydrosulphinx? I am still determined.
Att: Eunice,
Hydrosalpinx contains fluid toxic to embryos and therefore it must be removed before IVF.
Dr Noreh does not do this procedure himself, but he can direct You to the doctor who does.
Best regards
Olegs Tucs
I think the increament is unfair because not everyone will get pregnant and if you dont the clinic will not refund you the 20000 which is supposed to be for the luteal support. This is very unfair.
Hi, I spent the whole day reading info about the clinic and procedures. Don’t know where to start! My husband and I have been married for 10years have been trying out a miracle to get a baby for long! Am ok but my husband has no spermatozoa completely! We understand due to some operation he underwent during childhood. How can we be helped?
Att: Jabeez
First thing to do in Your case is to check if there are any spermatozoa in the testis. This is done under local anesthesia. Sample is taken from the testis with the needle and analyzed. If there will be spermatozoa, those can be used to fertilize the eggs by microinjection (ICSI).
Best regrads
Olegs Tucs
Hi,
Thank you very much for the speedy answer .
Kindly let me know approximate total costs
Comment by Olegs Tucs
May 10th, 2012
Att: Jabeez
First thing to do in Your case is to check if there are any spermatozoa in the testis. This is done under local anesthesia. Sample is taken from the testis with the needle and analyzed. If there will be spermatozoa, those can be used to fertilize the eggs by microinjection (ICSI).
Best regrads
Olegs Tucs
Why is Nairobi IVF clinic not refunding patients the extra costs that they paid for the luteal phase support medicine in case of failure to get pregant. Why should they reap patients. I know IVF is big business but Dr Noreah and Dr Oleg are taking advantage by charging the extra 20000 to all patients and the only time one will be given the extra medicine is when one gets pregnant and if you dont they will keep the medicine and your 20000 this is the biggest rip off no wonder many gnaecologist have opened ivf clinics in Kenya as there is easy money, it is not regulated and no one knows what goes in the the laboratory and most Kenyas are not well informed. The failure rate is four times more than the success rate in Kenya as Kenyan Doctors are still experimenting on the method unlike in other countries. Also they keep on insisting patients to go for egg donation that way more money will go into their pockets. I wonder how fertilization is done in case the only embrologist is well. That is when your eggs are handled by someone who has not specialised in the area and you end up being told, I AM SORRY YOUR EGGS ARE NOT VIABLE.
I partly agree with Mary, coz I underwent Ivf at the clinic and it failed of course it does not always work. But what made me sad was when I underwent Fet coz I had many remaining embryos it didn’t work either so when I went later for consultation it did not make sense for me to be told that out of around 14 remaining embryos that remained after the fresh ivf only one was transferred coz the rest did not survive. Fet not working was not an issue with me coz chances are 50/50 but the fact that the doc transferred only one embryo so how he did he expect that to work.
My point is infertility is very painful of course the doctors are doing a good job but they ought to be sensitive about the patients financial and emotional stress some of us save for years to undergo the treatment like I had done then and like am doing now.
And when the treatment is over one is left broke and maybe without a baby when this happens let it be because of bad lack but not because the doctor did not do the best he could.
Of course the doctors try their best and God does the rest but the doctors should advice the patient on what works and what does not.
Let me commend their work for giving my best friend a miracle. At least its not all lost.
i hope it will work for me next time
Hie Wendo,
I am a young girl about to undergo my first ever ivf treatment at the Nairobi clinic during the second week of June. If it is possible, and you are willing, could you send me ur email address, im really scared and would like to know what ur going through and why it failed. Maybe it might be the same as me so i can prepare for the emotional dissapointment. Also ur experience with the clinic would be much appreciated as well. Hoping to hear from you.
Regards, Agnes
Hi,
Thank you very much for the speedy answer . I had written to ask for the approximate cost of my reply i.e
– Cost of checking if there are any spermatozoa in the testis under local anesthesia where Sample is taken from the testis with the needle and analyzed.
-The cost if there will be spermatozoa, those can be used to fertilize the eggs by microinjection (ICSI).
I would appreciate to know the costs for planing purposes .
Thanks,
Jabeez
I am 38 yrs mother of two girls. I had a surgery in 1992 when my right ovary and tube had to be removed.In 2004 after my second delivery I requested to close my remaining tube but now I am wishing for another baby. I am healthy and fit with no any medical condition. Do I have a good chance to have another baby?
Att: Jabeez
The cost of diagnostic testicular aspiration is KSHS 20,000. If it is positive and You decide to do ICSI, the cost of procedure would be KSHS 340,000.
Best regards,
Olegs Tucs
Att: Dorah,
It is possible You can get a child. But as now both tubes are closed, IVF may be the only option. To find out more about Your chance to conceive I would advice to check blood levels of FSH on 3rd-4th day of Your period.
Best regards,
Olegs Tucs
Concerning all the “rip-offs” mentioned
The price for IVF procedure at the clinic was set at KSHS 300,000 in 2005. Now it is 2012 and cost of all disposables, reagents, rent etc. has more than doubled. Still Nairobi IVF centre policy is to keep the price as affordable as possible.
Yes, clinic does not refund KSHS 20,000 if it is no pregnancy. But it is stated clearly that price is increased by KSHS 20,000 and those, who get pregnant will have free luteal support. No misinformation there.
And as about sick -offs
I am no longer working there, but in 4 years from March 2008 to March 2012 i was there every day clinic was working. Exactly because of the reason that there was no other embryologist in Kenya. It was no sick offs for the sake of the embryos.
Best regards,
Olegs Tucs
Since Oleg tuc no longer works for Nairobi IVF, does it mean it will close down for business as far as I am concerned there are no embrologist in the country and Dr Noreh is only a gnacologist and cannot be an embrologist. Hope they bring another expatriate who is a qualified embrlogist to take care of the embroyos and if possible to have at least two in case one is sick or goes on leave.
It is very sad to her Dr Tuc has left Nairobi IVF as he is the pillar behind the success of Nairobi ivf. Hope he is not joining another IVf clinic in Kenya but Kenyans will welcome him if he decides to open his own IVF clinic in Keny and hope Dr Noreh will not bring in a trainee or uninexperiened embrologist as he will mess up patients embryos as you are aware it is expensive. Wishing you luck Dr Oleg Tucs
I forgot to ask if the clinic is still operating since the embrologist has left or Dr Noreh has already found a replacement since an IVF clinic without an embrologist nothing cannot progress and it is better to shut it down until the get a qulified embrologist from abroad since there are none in Kenya.
Dear Mary,
I left Nairobi IVF and Kenya on 1st March 2012. But now it is another embryologist there. His name is Dr Konstantins Godunovs, I have known him since 2006. He got his embryology training in Chicago in 2004 and have worked as clinical embryologist ever since. So I really hope Nairobi IVF Centre will continue to give the good service in the best interest of the patients.
From now on I will stop writing here as I am not connected to Nairobi IVF anymore.
Wishing You all the best luck and success in Your treatments.
Best regards,
Olegs Tucs
Dear Dr Joshua Noreh
,
Personnel of Nairobi IVF Centre,
We need some urgent information from you if you can…
My name is Sarah, recently i got a gynacological complication and my situation required that my uterus be emoved. In the process also one of my ovaries was removed.
please, but would like to get our bioligical child, because my husband and i have no child ….we are not considering adoption as a qucik option.
we would urgently wish to know how you can help us to reach our dream by any means? whether through gestational surrogacy..or other wise?
we are in uganda..
your urgent response will give us hope because we are indeed anxious..
this is our second mail to you…the first one we havent recieved any response as yet…
thank you very much
It is too unfortunate you have left the centre as it seems more patients were successfully in their treatment unlike now. I know at least 10 patients who had treatement between March and May who never got any success and some of them are planning to go to either mediheal in Eldoret or the other fertility clinic at parklands. it is so unfortunate and from stories that I heard the success rate was very high while you were there so I am sceptical about starting treatment there and the fact that the new embrlogist experience is less than 10 years he is still very green in this field.
I so agree with u Mary…i did IVF/ICSI feb-march 2012,transferred 4embryos and none took!!i really would like to know if any of the ladies had any luck,i know a few who didnt.Now am really re-thinking the whole thing….and i know i can get pregnant coz it hs happened twice.
do not go to the clinic thinking you will get success. I have more than 20 patients who did IVF at that clinic and none got pregnant. Others were told the eggs did not fertize at all and they switched to another clinic and did ivf with the same eggs and same sperm and all the eggs fertilized and had a successfull pregnancy and gave birth. it seems they are retrieving eggs when they are not matured enough or they is a problem with either their ivf or the embrlogist is not good at his job. I would suggest patients not to waste their money in such clinic and they claim that their success is 45% yet there are patients who have done four round of ivf and ll have failed. Be careful as that is how business is done in Kenya. They all want your money and care less about success and since they know women in Kenya are desperate for a child they will keep on comming to do repeat IVf which will never work. Time will tell. You can also try mediheal Ivf and it is cheaper at 250,000.
Dear Mary,
It is my hope that you realize how sensitive this forum is and how it touches on the core pain of so many women. I do not believe that you are privy to all the statistics that are obtained by the clinic for you to confidently advise people against going to the longest operating fertilitty clinic in East Africa. I would suggest you open an “i do not approve of nairobi ivf clinic” blog and invite followers there instead of discouraging people here. If you would notice how many people are subscribed to this site i believe you are taking that for granted and should allow people to make their own decision and investments instead of filling their souls with negativity. I am sorry that yourself and other women you know were unsuccessful, and so might i. But i am due to start ivf there, which i will continue to do so and if it fails then il try again i hope. Either way, i come to this forum because people ask very helpful questions and Mr. Olec before he left answere them amazingly. In your last post you said 10 people were unsuccessful, now you say 20.. which one is correct? please dont discourage us unless you have evidentiary support that they are either negligent or inexperienced and it isnt just ur assumption. Also, i think you should seek permission from the clinic to publish such negative information about the clinic on their site before you do so so that we women know to follow your advise or not.
Good day.