Imphal, February 13: Dr Pramod Sharma, an expert in assisted reproduction, In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF)Test Tube Baby and Genetics has assured of giving job opportunities to Manipuris in Pratiksha, a reproductive research unit, of which he is the Director.

Addressing a press conference at Hotel Nirmala last night, Dr Pramod, who has conducted over 200 IVF cycles and 5000 Laparos-copic and Hysteroscopic surgeries, said currently 30 percent of the employees in Pratiksha at Guwahati are non-Manipuri.

However, when the research unit is upgraded �I will employ more people from Manipur as Manipuris are skilled in this field�, he said.

Dr Pramod, who is the first person from the entire North East region to successfully deliver a test tube baby from frozen embryos, informed that his first successful IVF baby was born on February 13, 1997 at a charitable hospital.

The doctor claimed that he had treated around 60 Mani-puris who have fertility problem and Gynaecological disorders with successful results.

During his two-day stint at the capital, many a happy couples who became parents through the medical expertise of Dr Pramod greeted the latter at Hotel Nirmala last night.

Upon recognising the advancement of Pratiksha, the Government of Manipur would soon recommend it as a referral centre, the doctor hoped.

Pratiksha Hospitals, a corporate body, would be formally inaugurated in March and new Departments like Hip and Knee replacement surgeries, cardiac centre, nursing school, etc would be opened soon, he said.

Dr Pramod said that his institute would impart teaching programmes for doctors and scientists of North East so that more satellite centres can be developed and helped the people in getting the IVF facility at reasonable cost.

Pratiksha has already opened up satellite centres at various places in North East including Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Agartala, etc.

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