The infertility services market in India is undergoing a major change: Sudhir Bahl

Milann has been in the forefront of advocating on the causes and precautions to be undertaken to curb the incidence of infertility. Sudhir Bahl, CEO, Milann – The Fertility Centre, reveals more in an interaction with Sanjiv Das

Infertility is a major issue in the country. What has been Milaan’s contribution in curbing the incidence?
Infertility is caused due to the lack of certain hormones both in men and women, as well as due to changing lifestyles and other hereditary reasons are attributed to the cause. Recognizing the need to address infertility with utmost precision and care, there has to be a certain amount of understanding that goes into it. Milann has been in the forefront of advocating on the causes and precautions to be undertaken to curb the incidence. Following healthy diet and active lifestyle, avoid smoking, checking the BMI periodically, timely screening for infertility are few aspects to be gauged to improve and maintain fertility status. Milann offers comprehensive healthcare services to women, right from awareness, educating women on risk factors to encompassing pre-pregnancy planning, pregnancy and post-delivery.

Since its inception in 1989, Milann has constantly been at the forefront in the application of cutting-edge technology like ICSI, embryo freezing, surgical sperm retrieval, embryo biopsy, laser assisted hatching and blastocyst transfer to ensure best possible outcomes of infertility treatment. Among the early contributions to the field, Milann achieved milestones in the infertility sector by establishing South India‘s first Semen Bank, delivering India’s First SIFT Baby and South India’s first babies born through ICSI (Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection) as well as through Laser Assisted Hatching.

You have centres in Delhi, Chandigarh, Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Are there any plans to open more centres?
Milann has been recognised as the No 1Fertility centre in the country , we continue our expansion and look forward to attain a significant market share in NCR region and Western India. Simultaneously, efforts are to establish footprint internationally, especially catering to regions like in Middle East and South East Asia to narrow the gap in the infertility healthcare sector.

Infertility is a costly affair in India. How are you working towards to bring down the cost to ensure that the access increases?
The infertility services market in India is undergoing a major change and cost of treatment is definitely not an accurate measure of high quality services. Milann provides high quality and ethical services for which we have one of the best infrastructures in hands with expert clinical team with decades of holistic experience in the field. The focus remains on the superior clinical outcomes through research, innovation and advancement in procedures and a being price sensitive service sector, we believe in competitive pricing which comes at par with expertise and technology. To ensure that more couples have access to fertility solutions we are advocating and also spearheading the need for insurance cover in this sector.

What type of innovations are you looking for to help couples suffering from infertility?
Milann is on the forefront of using innovative technologies and clinical protocols to support couples suffering from Infertility. Apart from Infertility management, Milann provides High-Risk Obstetrics treatment, gynae endoscopy, third party reproduction, prenatal diagnostic services and offer specialty clinics.

We have an academic wing to conduct training programs for doctors. Milann has research collaboration with international companies which provides us access to latest technology to improve patient outcomes.

(There are few available case studies which is highlighted in our website, enclosed is the link – http://www.milann.co.in/case-studies/ , kindly check through this for in-depth information.)

What is Milann’s growth plan for the next few years? Tell us more about your investment plans. How much does this business contribute to their overall healthcare business?
There is no second thought on the fact that Milann wants to be known as “the most preferred Reproductive Medicine Company for patients seeking solutions to infertility” across geographies. We have one of the best clinical team in India led by Dr. Kamini Rao and we plan grow significantly to emerge as the national leader in this segment. The plan is to invest over 30M USD in this business over next few years, we will be in the best shape to provide further details towards the end of this quarter.

Tell us more about your CSR activities.
As part of its CSR initiative Milann has opened outreach centres in districts , conducts awareness drives on infertility issues , screening programmes, life style modification program and also region wise impact through education and research.

sanjiv.das@expressindia.com