Two couples have become parents of twins after invitro fertilisation procedures were carried out on them by the Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute. While private hospitals offer invitro fertilisation, SRMC has been the first medical college in the city to offer such medical assistance. Both sets of twins were born a month ago.

Doctors Sanjeev Reddy and Usha Rani of the college started the procedure in 2004 and 20 couples have since benefited. Four of the women treated are in advanced stages of pregnancy. Couples in the city can opt for the procedure for Rs. 80,000 to Rs. 1,20,000. The high cost of invitro fertilisation was usually a consequence of the expensive infrastructure required, which limited its availability only to the more affluent sections of society. The college, is however, now offering the technology at a more affordable price and this is bound to help many women who could not opt for invitro fertilisation earlier due to monetary considerations.