The
program was a colorful and predictably noisy affair resembling a
birthday party. The hall was bedecked with colorful frills and
balloons. Nearly 100 kids and their parents along with other invitees
graced the occasion. Mrs. Monika Kohli, the young charming 1st citizen
and wife of the Collector of Dadra Nagar and Haveli was the Chief
Guest and her graceful presence lent glamour and youthful exuberance
to the proceedings.
Dr.
Purnima Nadkarni, practicing infertility specialist, the main
architect, and director & brain behind the production of these babies
gave the welcome speech and outlined the initial difficulties in
starting these hitech procedures in a small town.
Dr.
Kishore Nadkarni, director NACU&RC outlined the IVF-ICSI success story
from 1984 to 2003 and also described the different techniques.
A
specially designed brochure and a lamination of the theme photograph
was released by the Chief Guest. Several grateful parents narrated
their experience at NACU & RC. One parent of ICSI baby came all the
way from Connecticut, USA for this function.
The
celebrations that followed included cake cutting, photography of kids
and parents, dance and karate performances by the children, a one hour
magic show by Magician D Lad from Valsad, orchestra, dance & firework
and a lavish dinner party.
400
persons, mostly grateful patients attended this programme and left
with happy memories. The kids came from neighbouring towns of Daman,
Umergoan, Bhilad, Silvassa, Udwada, Pardi, Vapi & Valsad. Some
patients were from Surat, Baroda and some were from other countries
such as UK & USA.
A data
bank was formed which will be displayed on
www.nadkarniivf.info website
which will form a helpline for other failed cases through our sharing
and caring programme for treatment of failures in infertility.
Success
rates are low in IVF/ICSI, this turnout of babies in such large
numbers was a great encouragement and motivation for this rural
institute which has given more than 800 babies to infertile couples in
the last 20 years & is a centre of excellence for infertility
treatment.