Antigua and Barbuda’s first fertility clinic is expected to begin treating patients as early as September, offering in vitro fertilization and other reproductive health services locally.

The clinic will operate from the new Doctors Medical Centre in St. John’s, where a range of medical services is already being provided.

Founder Dr. Sir Joseph John told ABS News that the necessary equipment has been ordered and is on its way to Antigua.

Sir Joseph said the clinic was developed through a partnership involving himself, Dr. Mansoor, Dr. Yemi and an experienced fertility specialist who operates several successful clinics in Lagos, Nigeria.

According to Sir Joseph, the specialist and her husband obtained Antigua and Barbuda citizenship through the Citizenship by Investment Programme. He said her representative later contacted him about establishing a fertility clinic in the country.

“She is a fertility expert with a number of these very successful fertility clinics in Lagos,” Sir Joseph said. “She wanted to do something here, and her agent got in touch with me, and we put this together.”

He said preparations are already underway, with the clinic’s first group of patients likely to receive care in September.

“It’s myself, Mansoor and Dr. Yemi who have now a fertility clinic — a first in Antigua,” Sir Joseph said.

The clinic will offer IVF, a procedure used to assist people experiencing fertility challenges, along with other services covering the full course of fertility care.

Sir Joseph noted that similar treatment options are limited within the region, pointing to fertility clinics in Barbados and Trinidad.

“No longer will folks have to travel to Barbados or anywhere to have their fertility experience or care,” he said. “It will be given from A to Z here.”

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Antigua and Barbuda’s First Fertility Clinic to Open in September.