Apeksha IVF sends Sri Lankan consultants for ART training at MARC

Dr. Sudath Senaratne and Dr. Jeyakumar (Consultant Gynecologist), Mr. Deepal Nelson (Managing Director, Apeksha IVF), Dr.Champa Nelson (Clinical Director, Apeksha IVF) and Dr. Poornima Baliga (Dean Kasturba Medical College, Manipal)

Dr. Champa Nelson (Clinical Director - Apeksha IVF), Mr. Deepal Nelson (Managing Director - Apeksha IVF), Dr. Sudath Senaratne (Consultant Gynecologist), Prof. Satish Adiga (Chief Embryologist, MARC), Prof. Pratap Kumar (Head of MARC), Dr. Jeyakumar (Consultant Gynecologist), Dr. Praveena Vasudev Pai (Consultant fertility specialist).

Apeksha IVF recently succeeded in sending the first batch of consultants on training at the Manipal Assisted Reproduction Centre, Manipal University India. 
Dr. Jeyakumar and Dr. Senaratne from Sri Lanka participated at the training programme. 
The training was conducted by Dr. Pratap Kumar, Professor and Head of Manipal Assisted Reproduction Centre, Manipal University India and Dr. Satish Kumar Adiga, Professor and Chief Embryologist of Manipal Assisted Reproduction Centre, Manipal University India. The training program is part of an ongoing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Apeksha IVF and the Kasturba Medical College (KMC) Manipal (Manipal University).
The Primary objectives of the MoU are Knowledge sharing on various aspects of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), training clinical and laboratory members of Apeksha IVF & Research Center in Sri Lanka, facilitating training and promoting awareness among Clinicians on global standards of IVF technology and procedures, providing training and expertise to Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLTs) on advanced IUI procedures and theories and providing qualifications for Sri Lankan scientists on embryology and genetics. 
The secondary objectives of the MoU are to discourage Sri Lankan patients seeking treatment overseas and thereby retain foreign exchange in the country. According to the presently available statistics, almost 100 couples seek ART treatment in countries such as India, Singapore and the United Kingdom. This drains the foreign reserves of Sri Lanka. It is unfortunate that overseas treatment is sought by Sri Lankan couples when ART services are available in Sri Lanka. Therefore, it is the aim of this MoU to further develop the quality of the services provided in Sri Lanka by training and encouraging more Sri Lankan gynecologists in providing better ART services for sub-fertile couples in Sri Lanka so that a quality service can be provided at an affordable price. The MoU further covers the facilitation of research and development in the field of assisted reproductive technology.
Apeksha IVF has made plans to develop Sri Lanka as a medical tourism hub for ART services. Apeksha IVF intends on attracting patients from countries such as the Maldives, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal etc. where the service is either unavailable or the quality is lesser than par. Apeksha IVF already has a great volume of patients visiting them from the Maldives in order to obtain ART services.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Poornima Baliga B, Dean Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Manipal and Dr. Champa Nelson, Clinical Director and Deepal Nelson, Managing Director of Apeksha IVF. 
The technical staff of MARC led by Dr. Pratap Kumar, Professor and head of Manipal Assisted Reproductive Center (MARC), Dr. Satish Kumar Adigar, Professor and chief embryologist of MARC will work jointly with the clinical staff of Apeksha IVF led by Dr. Champa Nelson.
Apeksha intends on sending the next batch of doctors for training in India in the near future. Further, Apeksha intends on holding many symposiums and workshops on Assisted Reproductive Technology in the future with senior clinicians and embryologists of Manipal University, India.