- Centre aims to bridge critical skill gap in the field of Assisted Reproductive Technology 27.5 million infertile couples in India , total number of embryologists in the country is less than 1,300
- The Assisted Reproductive Technology ( Regulation ) Act , 2021 passed by the parliament has also highlighted the importance of training for embryologists . * The Nova Academy of Clinical Embryology training ( NACET ) aims to bridge the gap and graduate well trained embryology professionals
Bengaluru , August 24th , 2022 : As 1 burden of infertility continues to increase in the country , the lack of skilled embryologists remains a glaring problem . To address this issue , Nova IVF Fertility – one of India’s leading providers of fertility services with 54 IVF centres across 34 cities has launched a national training academy for embryologists to hone their academic and practical skills .
Nova Academy of Clinical Embryology training ( NACET ) will train students in all practical aspects required in an IVF Laboratory including andrology , embryology , and cryopreservation . With an aim to provide hands – on training to future embryologists , the academic centre is equipped with state – of – the art laboratory and the latest technologies imperative for IVF treatments .
Speaking about the academy Mr Shobhit Agarwal , CEO , Nova IVF Fertility said ” Embryologists are the backbone of every IVF Lab . Their skill and efficiency are critical for higher success rates in Assisted Reproduction treatments . Nova Academy of Clinical Embryology training ( NACET ) has been anchored with international guidelines in embryology which have been embedded in Nova IVF through its earlier global partnerships . The embryologists will be trained in the lab equipped with latest technologies & SOPs of international standards , which will help them enhance their skills . The professionals graduating from the NACET will have enhanced skills in the field of embryology given Nova IVF’s vast experience of more than a decade in providing IVF treatment to couples both in urban and tier 2 cities across the country “
Infertility has been steadily on the rise in India . According to the latest National Family Health Survey ( NFHS – 5 ) , India’s total fertility rate has declined from 2.2 ( average births per woman ) in 2015-2016 to 2.0 in 2019-2021 . There are around 27.5 million married couples who are dealing with fertility issues ( Ernst and Young study from 2015- latest available report ) . However , the number of embryologists is extremely low , increasing the burden on existing professionals .
Expressing the need for skilled embryologists Dr Sujatha Ramakrishnan , Head of Embryology at Nova IVF Fertility said ” India currently has approximately 2,000 embryology labs , which is perhaps the largest in the world . With increasing infertility , every year around 2.5 lakh IVF cycles take place , however the total number of embryologists in India is not more than 1,300 . Out of which about 25 % are qualified ( MSC Clinical Embryologists ) and 20 % are holding certifications and a vast majority of the remaining 54 % have not received adequate training to qualify as embryologists . This data clearly shows the shortage of skilled embryologists in the country , which can be a worrying factor when catering to the ever – increasing need of couples battling infertility across the country . In fact , The Assisted Reproductive Technology ( Regulation ) Bill , 2021 passed by the parliament has also highlighted the importance of training for embryologists , said Dr Sujatha
At NACET , students with a minimum qualification of MSc . in embryology are selected as trainees and will be given intense hands – on training for a period of six months . Post this they will be duly assessed and evaluated , only then they will begin their laboratory duties at one of the Nova IVF Fertility Labs . Existing embryologists will also be given short term crash courses on different techniques to hone or brush up their abilities .
Dr. Aviva Pinto Rodrigues , Consultant IVF Specialist , Nova IVF , Bangalore emphasised on how couples taking up fertility treatment can benefit from a skilled embryologist saying , ” An embryology lab mimics the womb of a woman . It is the embryologists who safeguard the egg and the sperm and fertilise them in the environment of a high technology IVF Lab which results in a pregnancy . Therefore , the embryology professionals must be skilled and need to handle the embryos with utmost care . Experienced fertility consultants combined with skilled embryologists can give millions of couples a chance at parenthood through quality fertility treatments . Our goal here is holistic development of embryologists , focusing not just on their technical skills , but also soft skills like communication and empathy , which are crucial qualities needed when it comes to dealing with patients with fertility issues “
The Nova Academy of Clinical Embryology training ( NACET ) is equipped to graduate 25 students and has already onboarded a current batch of 15 trainee embryologists . Currently only candidates with MSc in embryology are being accepted in the academy .
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