KEM Hospital Revives IVF Services with New Public-Private Partnership
Mumbai’s King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital, a historic institution in reproductive medicine, is once again offering In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) services after a gap of over four decades. This revival is made possible through a public-private partnership (PPP) with the Malpani Infertility Clinic, aiming to make fertility treatments more accessible and affordable.
A Return to Pioneering Fertility Care
KEM Hospital holds a significant place in India’s reproductive healthcare history, having delivered India’s first officially documented test-tube baby in 1986, thanks to the work of Dr. Indira Hinduja [1]. Despite this groundbreaking achievement, the hospital discontinued large-scale IVF services due to limitations in infrastructure, trained personnel, and consistent funding.
The Malpani Anjali and Aniruddha (MAA) IVF Centre
The newly established Malpani Anjali and Aniruddha (MAA) In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) Centre, set to be inaugurated on February 23, 2026, addresses these previous shortcomings. The centre is the brainchild of Dr. Anjali Malpani and Dr. Aniruddha Malpani, both KEM Hospital alumni [2]. The initiative aims to expand access to fertility treatment within the public sector.
Affordability and Accessibility
A key focus of the MAA IVF Centre is to significantly reduce the cost of IVF treatment. Dr. Anjali Malpani stated the goal is to offer IVF cycles for approximately ₹40,000–₹50,000, a substantial reduction compared to the ₹2–3 lakh typically charged by private clinics [2]. This affordability is intended to benefit couples from lower-income groups who may not be able to afford private fertility treatments.
Financial Commitment and Services Offered
The Malpani family is contributing approximately ₹1 crore annually for the first five years to support the centre’s operations [2]. This investment will cover essential costs such as laboratory media, injections, and equipment. The centre will initially provide IVF, Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) services. Plans are underway to expand services to include embryo freezing and sperm and egg banking.
Training and Research Hub
Beyond patient care, the MAA IVF Centre will serve as a training hub for gynecology residents, allowing them to gain practical experience in IVF procedures. It will also function as a research centre, furthering advancements in the field of reproductive medicine [2].
Recent Developments in Public IVF Access
KEM Hospital resumed offering Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) services on February 18, 2026, with the first procedure performed on a 27-year-old woman. This follows a similar initiative by Cama &. Albless Hospital, which launched IVF services in 2024 [2].
Dr. Indira Hinduja, a pioneering figure in Indian IVF, also has extensive experience teaching and researching in the field, with 25 years at King Edwards Memorial Hospital and Seth G.S. Medical Hospital and College [1].