Nigeria’s first IVF baby to study medicine abroad

Nigeria’s first test tube baby is heading for Hungary to study medicine.

Hannatu Kupchi, 17,was born at Nisa Premier Hospital in Abuja on February 11, 1998.

A ceremony was organised by the hospital on Sunday in Abuja to mark her departure. Medical Director Dr. Ibrahim Wada said Kupchi’s birthday marked the fulfillment of his medical career.

“It is very difficult to make a statement on a day like this. When I was out of this country, I knew there were people who wanted babies. I made the decision to come back to Nigeria to help people. It happened on February 11, 1998 when this historic event occurred at this hospital.

“The baby of that historic day is going to become a doctor. Because the parents stood firm, we were able to help others. You gave us government recognition and that was important. It was the first time that a minister came to receive a baby in Nigeria.

I want to assure you (Hannatu),that after graduation, there is an automatic employment for you. .”

Kupchi expressed gratitude to the hospital for giving her “a life”.

She said what informed her choice of study was the desire to help save the lives of other children.

She said with her birth, misconceptions about IVF were broken and that many more children would be born.

She said: “I am very grateful to be sent off like this. It is not everybody that gets this opportunity. God has a big hand in this. God was behind me. I want God to use me get more children. I am hoping that through me God will make people see the value of having children. I will specialize in genealogy and obstetrics.

Hannatu’s father Hosea Kupchi, said: “We had 13 years of marriage without a child and we went through the orthodox method without any success. But along the line, my sister in law told me that there is one Dr. Wada that has been helping couples. That is how we came.

“Then challenges came again on how to let the world know that we achieved this feat locally here. There are a lot of couples out there that are not ready to speak out. One, there is issue of stigmatization.