POLOKWANE – Dr Jackson Ndhlovu is a gynaecologist, obstetrician and fertility specialist who will launch his practice, Limpopo Fertility Clinic, on October 29.
He explained to Polokwane Observer he initially trained as an obstetrician and gynaecologist and furthered his studies to know more about prevention, diagnosis and management of reproductive problems.
“My goal is to improve and maintain the reproductive health of couples which will allow them to have children at the time of their own choosing without compromising their quality of life,” he said.
Ndhlovu added there are many reasons why a couple may have fertility problems and treatment will depend on the cause of the infertility.
“Couples should not lose hope as there are many safe and effective therapies available today that can significantly improve their chances of falling pregnant,” he said and added fertility issues are no longer considered taboo and people are more receptive to fertility treatment as of late.
“Many of my patients visit me as a couple for a consultation as they accept that there is a 50/50 chance that it might be a male or a female factor in play,” he said.
The clinic will offer services like intrauterine insemination, spermiogram or sperm analysis and wash, in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection, egg or sperm freezing or office hysteroscopy.
The clinic already created employment for seven people consisting of two receptionists, a practice manager, embryologist, nurse and two cleaners.
“Our IVF lab is the first in the province, so Limpopo residents will no longer need to travel long distances to access infertility treatment,” he explained.
One challenge he encountered in the process of starting his practice was to welcome an embryologist to the team.
His embryologist is currently employed part-time, which means she is only at the practice if necessary.
“Ideally, I would like to employ an embryologist full-time but they are scarce,” he said.
The practice is located at Netcare Pholoso Hospital, room 111 and Ndhlovu can be reached on 015 296 5156 or 068 086 9477.