How IVF is redefining parenthood in Tanzania

FOR many couples, the inability to conceive is not only a medical condition but also a deeply emotional and social burden. In Tanzania, where parenthood is closely tied to identity, marriage stability, and social acceptance, infertility can lead to stigma, anxiety, and strained relationships.

A case study at the Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), the growing number of couples seeking help has pushed medical experts to confront this silent struggle with science, compassion, and innovation. One major step forward is the introduction of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) services at the Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan IVF Center within MNH.

In an interview with journalist Nicodemus Ikonko, Dr Vincent Tarimo, a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist, explains why IVF was introduced, how it is changing lives, and what it means for couples who have long lost hope of having children.

Question: Why IVF was introduced at MNH?

Answer: IVF is a medical procedure in which a woman’s egg is fertilized with sperm in a laboratory, and the resulting embryo is later placed into the uterus to achieve pregnancy.

According to Dr Tarimo, IVF services were officially launched at Muhimbili National Hospital on 22 September 2024, following a sharp rise in infertility cases.

“The number of couples suffering from infertility has increased significantly,” he explains.

“Currently, about three to four out of every ten couples attending the outpatient gynecological clinic at Muhimbili are seeking care due to infertility.” This trend highlighted an urgent need for advanced reproductive services within the public health system. Previously, many couples had to seek IVF services in private clinics or travel abroad, options that were financially and emotionally out of reach for most families.

Q: What of the cost of IVF and accessibility?

A: One of the biggest barriers to IVF has always been cost. In Tanzania, IVF treatment typically ranges between 14m/- and 24m/-, depending on the individual medical condition and treatment requirements.

“At Muhimbili, the cost is 14m/-, which is significantly lower than most private facilities,” Dr Tarimo says.

The subsidized cost reflects the hospital’s mission to make advanced reproductive health services more accessible to Tanzanians from diverse economic backgrounds.

Q: Can you shortly explain about the early impact and patient outcomes?

A: Although the IVF programme at MNH is still relatively new, the response from the public has been encouraging. Since its launch, the center has handled four treatment groups, serving a total of 22 clients.

Out of these, 15 clients have already had embryos transferred into their wombs, while seven clients have embryos safely frozen and are awaiting transfer in the next treatment cycle.

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“So far, we do not yet have a birth,” Dr Tarimo notes, “but we currently have two confirmed pregnancies, with expected deliveries in March and April 2026.” Nationally, Tanzania has about eight IVF clinics, mainly located in Dar es Salaam and Arusha, making MNH a key public referral center for reproductive health services.

Q: Are IVF children different?

A: A common concern among couples is whether children born through IVF differ from those conceived naturally. Dr Tarimo is clear and reassuring.

“No,” he says. “Children born through IVF do not differ in behavior, health, or developmental milestones. They grow and develop just like any other child.” This clarification is crucial in addressing myths and misconceptions that often surround assisted reproductive technologies.

A message to couples struggling with infertility For couples who have tried for years to conceive without success, Dr Tarimo offers a direct and hopeful message.

“Assisted reproduction, including IVF, is the solution for couples who cannot conceive naturally,” he says.

He encourages couples to seek medical evaluation early rather than suffer in silence or rely solely on unproven alternatives. Medical tourism and foreign clients MNH’s IVF services are not limited to Tanzanians. According to Dr Tarimo, nonTanzanians are also welcome to access the program.

“When foreign clients arrive at Muhimbili, there is a special desk for foreigners at the hospital entrance,” he explains. “They are guided through the entire process and supported to access services smoothly.” This openness positions Tanzania as a potential regional hub for affordable and professional fertility treatment.

Is IVF a guaranteed solution? While IVF offers hope, Dr Tarimo cautions against viewing it as a guaranteed solution. “IVF success rates worldwide range between 20 percent and 40 percent,” he explains.

“Success varies depending on individual factors, especially age.” Younger women generally have higher success rates, while older women face reduced chances. Certain medical conditions, such as endometriosis, also lower the likelihood of success.

“IVF can work,” he says, “but it is not a promise. Each case is unique.” IVF and surrogate motherhood Surrogacy is sometimes linked to IVF, but Dr Tarimo clarifies that the two are not always inseparable.

“Surrogate mothers are women who carry pregnancies for women who cannot carry a pregnancy themselves,” he explains. This includes women born without a uterus or those whose uterus has been severely damaged by disease. “Currently, Muhimbili does not offer a surrogacy program,” he says, adding that it may be considered in the future as reproductive services expand.

A new chapter for reproductive health The introduction of IVF services at Muhimbili National Hospital marks a significant milestone for Tanzania’s healthcare system.

Beyond technology, it represents recognition of infertility as a real medical and social issue deserving attention, empathy, and investment. For many couples, IVF offers more than a medical procedure—it offers dignity, choice, and renewed hope.

As the program grows, it may not only help families fulfill their dream of parenthood, but also reshape how society understands infertility: not as a personal failure, but as a condition that modern medicine can help address. At Muhimbili, science is quietly transforming pain into possibility, one hopeful couple at a time.