Lanka is preparing to make a major leap in public healthcare by introducing In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) services at the Castle Street Hospital for Women in Colombo, marking the first time test-tube baby treatment will be available at a government hospital.
Hospital Director Dr. Ajith Kumara Danthanarayana said the new IVF unit is expected to become operational within the next three months, significantly widening access to advanced fertility care. The initiative aims to support couples who are unable to afford costly private treatments and to bring reproductive health services within reach of ordinary citizens.
Currently, IVF treatment in Sri Lanka is limited to a handful of private hospitals, with costs ranging from Rs. 2–3 million per cycle, placing it beyond the means of many families. By introducing the service in the public sector, health authorities hope to ease both the financial and emotional burden faced by couples struggling with infertility.
IVF, a procedure where fertilization takes place outside the body before the embryo is transferred to the uterus, is commonly used to address infertility linked to medical and unexplained causes. The move is widely seen as a milestone in public healthcare, offering new hope to thousands of couples seeking the chance to start a family.
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