When one mentions Dr. Babatunde Okewale, what comes to mind is fertility and women’s health. This is because of Okewale’s occupation as an obstetrician and gynaecologist. However, Okewale has earned a reputation among both noble and common people for his dedication to a vision: to see women able to conceive, bear, and take care of their children. Following this dream, Okewale, sometime in 1996 singlehandedly, and from humble beginnings, built up the St Ives Medical Franchise to its current status as the trendsetter in the areas of women and children health, especially In-vitro Fertilization (IVF). His St.Ives is fast becoming synonymous with IVF success as it has continued to record groundbreaking acclaim with its patients in its assisted reproductive technology initiative. The records of his accomplishment on this front are enough to fill the Pacific.
In line with his commitment to deliver total healthcare to his patrons and patients and etch a permanent smile on the faces of families, Okewale’ St. Ives Hospital recently celebrated a landmark 3000 in vitro fertilization births. Many Nigerians who hitherto believed that their dreams of becoming parents via the IVF route can only be realised abroad are now the ones recommending the hospital to others in the same situation as themselves. The 3000 births success represents one of the highest rates in the medical industry in Nigeria. Among its outstanding feats was the delivery of a set of twins by a 68-year-old lady, which went on to be recorded as the oldest IVF mother in Africa.
Okewale has also shown himself to be a man of deep emotions. Compassion and empathy are at the top of his list. Okewale has also instituted a yearly promo where some fertility and financially challenged couples are assisted to subsidise their cost of IVF treatment. In the last couple of years and still thriving, the yearly promo, which is offered in collaboration with the hospital’s foundation, has helped to reduce the financial burden on couples that are experiencing delay in procreation as a result of one fertility challenge or the other.