International Patient Information
Medfem Fertility Clinic prides itself in helping patients from around the world in achieving pregnancies. With fantastic assisted reproductive technology (ART) and third-party reproduction success rates, and state-of-the-art facilities, Medfem Fertility Clinic has gained vast international appeal as a leading fertility clinic. We are a centre of excellence that offers world-class treatments and excellent infertility packages to international patients at highly affordable rates.
As most fertility treatments (egg donation, gestational surrogacy, IVF, ICSI) involve careful monitoring and coordination between multiple parties (egg donation agencies/egg donors, gestational surrogates, the intended parents, pharmacies, legal consultants, and more) at Medfem Fertility Clinic we recognise that making your experience as simple and uncomplicated as possible is of paramount importance for a successful outcome. As such, our clinic has a dedicated team of professionals assigned to each patient/couple from the beginning to the very end of the process to ensure their experience is a positive one.
Centrally located in Johannesburg, Medfem Fertility Clinic is within easy proximity to the Oliver Tambo International Airport and welcomes out-of-area patients from across the globe. Patients have been travelling to our clinic for many years from locations such as Australia, the UK and Europe, across Africa, and the USA. Boasting a year-round idyllic climate, and a dazzling array of world-class attractions and safari destinations, it’s easy to see why Joburg, a world class African city, would appeal to travellers and fertility patients alike. Patients can take advantage of Johannesburg’s great weather to enjoy safari trips, mountains, golf courses, historical and archaeological sites, restaurants, shopping centres and the many local spa’s and game lodges.
What differentiates us from other destinations?
- 30 years of experience, 16 000+ Babies Born, 4 leading fertility specialists, 6 expert embryologists
- Our specialists have more combined experience in fertility treatment than any other clinic in South Africa. The combined experience of our fertility specialists adds up to over 100 years of knowledge.
- We are a world-renowned fertility clinic and leaders in the management of fertility treatments – our success rates compare with the best clinics in the world.
- We are one of the largest and most successful fertility clinics in Africa with a team of 56 staff members caring for our clients.
- Our clinic is a warm, welcoming, and comfortable environment. Everything needed for fertility care in on-site.
- We are a clinic that prides ourselves in publishing private practice research in multiple international journals.
- We keep YOU at the centre of our care.
Quality of care
The infertility industry in South Africa is monitored by SASREG. This ensures that services are monitored, consistent, standardised, and integrated. Medfem Fertility Clinic is a SASREG accredited clinic. Our devotion to quality ensures our clients receive the best care and best results possible.
South Africa has long since had a reputation for providing cutting edge procedures. In 1967, Dr Christiaan Barnard made history by performing the world’s first successful heart transplant in Cape Town. Since then, South Africa has continued to be a player known for quality medical research and treatments world-wide.
Our very own Dr. van Schouwenburg performed the first IVF in South Africa in 1983 with Prof Kruger at Tygerberg hospital.
How do I get started?
Your first step is to get in touch with our clinic to set up a consultation with one of our board-certified reproductive endocrinology infertility specialists. Please call our clinic at +27 (11) 463 2244 or email us at info@medfem.co.za to schedule your consultation.
Before you meet with a consultant, you must complete our new patient forms. Please follow the instructions on the Welcome Pack Form and ensure you gather all of this information prior to your initial consultation. You also need to complete the Cover Sheet document. You may fax these documents to us on +27 (11) 463 1875, email to info@medfem.co.za, or bring along with you on the day of your consultation. Information on the fee for the initial consultation can be viewed here.
What happens next?
Upon a careful evaluation of your individual case and fertility treatment needs and any past treatment cycles and diagnostic tests, a customised treatment plan will be formulated for you by one of our dedicated specialists.
All aspects of your treatment, from ordering of medications, to creating a treatment calendar, to coordinating monitoring visits will be handled by our staff. In the case of third-party reproduction (egg donation, gestational surrogacy), our team will make sure all appropriate screening of egg donors and surrogates, are handled on your behalf.
Our staff will make sure you are constantly well informed about your treatments through telephone and e-mail correspondences.
When do I travel to Johannesburg?
International patients may choose to have only part of or every aspect of their fertility treatment take place at our facility in Johannesburg. Certain cycle monitoring visits can be done at local clinics in your home country, with the crucial last steps of final monitoring and egg retrieval/embryo transfer left to be completed at our facilities, typically requiring no more than a seven day stay in Johannesburg. Alternatively, patients may choose to have their entire care including daily injections (from monitoring visits to egg retrieval/embryo transfer) completed with us (typically requiring a three-four week stay in Johannesburg).
Arranging Travel to Johannesburg
If you require a visa to travel to South Africa, then you will need to apply for a Medical Treatment Visa. Once you have scheduled your first appointment with one of our consultants you can request a visa approval letter from ivfreception@medfem.co.za. Please provide us with your full names and passport numbers for both husband and wife or partner/s to include in the letter as well as your contact details i.e., e-mail address, etc. This letter will indicate the nature of the ailment, that space is available at the medical institution, the estimated costs of medical treatment, whether the disease or ailment is treatable or curable, the treatment schedule, and the period of intended treatment in South Africa. The following Department of Home Affairs website link can provide you with additional information http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/types-of-visas.
Ongoing care at home
After you return to your home country, we continue to provide ongoing support and care. We’ll provide a full copy of your medical record on completion of your treatment with us, along with a letter for your local supervising physician detailing the treatment undertaken. Within two weeks of arriving home, you will have a pregnancy blood test and then talk with your fertility specialist again. Communication with your fertility nurse/s regarding ongoing care is beneficial and encouraged.
Excess embryos not used during your initial cycle may be frozen and used for an additional frozen embryo transfer later, increasing your chance of achieving a pregnancy.
Visiting Johannesburg
Johannesburg is a beautiful historic city and a joy to visit in every season. If you are travelling to Johannesburg, have a look at the following websites for activities and attractions to attend while you are here.