Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital has celebrated another milestone in fertility treatment with the birth of its second baby conceived through in vitro fertilisation (IVF). The proud parents, Salim Malinga and Sayeed Rukusana, are overjoyed as their long-awaited dream of parenthood has finally come true.

The hospital, which officially opened in 2018, launched its IVF program in August last year and has already seen promising results. Dr. Sam Ononge, the Acting Hospital Administrator, shared the news during a press conference, revealing that out of eleven pregnancies achieved through IVF so far, two have resulted in successful deliveries. The first IVF baby was born on May 31, 2025, making this latest arrival the second under the program.

Since introducing IVF, the hospital has conducted twenty-eight treatment cycles, though only eighteen were completed. Dr. David Nsibambi, head of the fertility unit, explained that the IVF process involves multiple steps, including egg retrieval, preparation treatments, scans, and embryo transfer. Of the eleven pregnancies achieved, four were unfortunately not viable, highlighting the challenges that still accompany fertility treatments.

Despite these hurdles, the hospital is seeing a growing demand for fertility services. Dr. Nsibambi noted that an average of seventy-eight patients seek help for infertility each week, with many exploring options beyond IVF. The increasing number of couples turning to Mulago for assistance reflects both the prevalence of fertility struggles and the growing awareness of available treatments.

For years, IVF has been available in Uganda, but its high cost, sometimes reaching up to fifty million shillings in private clinics—has made it inaccessible for many. Mulago’s program, however, offers hope by providing the service at a significantly reduced price. Dr. Ononge emphasized that the hospital has subsidized the treatment to between fourteen and fifteen million shillings, depending on individual needs. This effort aims to make fertility care more affordable for Ugandans who have long struggled with the financial burden of such procedures.

The successful delivery of the second IVF baby is not just a personal triumph for Malinga and Rukusana but also a significant achievement for Uganda’s public healthcare system. It demonstrates the potential for government-run facilities to provide advanced medical services that were once only available in expensive private clinics.

As Mulago continues to expand its fertility program, the hope is that more couples will benefit from these services. The journey to parenthood can be fraught with emotional and financial challenges, but stories like this one offer encouragement to others facing similar struggles.

For now, the hospital’s team is celebrating this victory while preparing to support more families in their quest to conceive. With each successful pregnancy, Mulago is proving that affordable, high-quality fertility care is possible, and that dreams of parenthood can indeed come true.