The Barbados Fertility Centre (BFC) proved this in its latest statistics which show that women under 38 coming to this country for in vitro fertility (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment are achieving a pregnancy rate of 56.3 per cent – 14 per cent more than is being achieved in the United States and a whopping 34 per cent more than in Britain.
According to the centre, local statistics are compared to those from the Centre of Disease Control in the United States and Britain's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, and presented according to the age of the female, since this had a significant impact on the likely success of fertility treatment.
BFC medical director Dr Juliet Skinner added that the centre was proud of the results, having compiled statistics on women under 35 which showed an IVF/ICSI pregnancy rate of 51 per cent and a donor pregnancy (using donor eggs for IVF) rate of 58 per cent.
She also pointed to the growing numbers, stating that the number of women treated was nearly six times as much as the 40 cycles done when the clinic started in 2003.
"It's growing rapidly and will continue to grow, and at the end of the day will bring in foreign exchange. Couples who come for IVF treatment also spend money, use taxis and stay in good hotels," Skinner told the DAILY NATION.
She said 180 cycles had been done by the BCF last year and 240 were projected this year. Of these, about 80 per cent are from women outside of Barbados – mainly from the Caribbean region, followed by a steady stream from Britain and United States.
Americans come mainly for cost reasons, said Skinner, adding that a couple could fly to Barbados, have treatment and enjoy two weeks' accommodation for the same price as having treatment at home.