Lahore, July 7 : The first Pakistani test-tube baby, born in Lahore, turned 19 yesterday. On this occasion, the pioneer of test-tube baby in the country Gynaecologist Prof Dr Rashid Latif Khan said that he was grateful to Allah for bestowing wisdom on him to serve childless couples.

“It was a major breakthrough in the field of medicine in Pakistan when the first-ever test-tube baby was born on July 6, 1989,” the Daily Times quoted him as saying.

He said that more then a thousand healthy test-tube babies, including sets of triplets and twins, had been produced.

Dr Latif said that for first time in the Pakistan, another ultra-modern microscopic technique called ‘ICSI’ that enabled males having low number of sperms count produce children.

He said fertility of a woman declined after the age of 35 years. “Younger the patient, more chances of success with IVF treatment,” he said and added “any couple that did not have a baby after two years of marriage must consult a qualified gynaecologist for proper treatment.” (ANI)