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The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) plunged by 26. 36 points to close at 2,022.92 points on Sunday.

Similarly, the sensitive index dropped by 6. 16 points to close at 373. 00 points.

A total of 15,268,399-shares of 304 companies were traded for Rs 5. 24 billion.

Meanwhile, Terhathum Power Company Limited was the top gainer today with its price surging by 10. 00 percent. Likewise, Manushi Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited was the top loser with its price dropped by 6. 69 percent.

At the end of the day, the total market capitalization stood at Rs 3. 14 trillion.

Indira IVF, recognized as India’s leading and reliable chain of IVF hospitals, manages a network of more than 120 specialized clinics across India. They have recently inaugurated their first international branch in Kathmandu, featuring advanced technology and skilled medical professionals. They aim to provide world-class facilities so that people in Nepal don’t have to travel abroad for fertility services. This initiative not only helps fulfill Nepalis’ parenthood aspirations but also aims to create opportunities and enhance skill development in Nepal.

Dr. Neha Homagain, 38, is a gynecologist, infertility expert and laparoscopic surgeon. She is currently the Center Head and Chief Fertility Specialist at Indira IVF based in Nepal. She is also among the few fertility experts recognized by the Nepal Medical Council. She trained at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York in the US, specializing in gynae oncology. Babita Shrestha from ApEx spoke to Homagain about her experience and roles at Indira IVF.

 How has global exposure enhanced your expertise in reproductive healthcare?

The training I had in gynae oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York was impactful. I was not only impressed by all the facilities but also realized the significant gap between oncology and fertility. It was an eye-opener to witness patient management, care standards, and the international level of healthcare provided there. Moreover, I saw the potential for medical tourism. Memorial Sloan Kettering is known for its advanced and top-notch medical facilities and I consider myself fortunate to have had that experience.

 What distinguishes Indira IVF’s approach and success?

At Indira IVF, we have world-class facilities that set the bar high. The reason for our extensive reach, with over 120 centers in India, is the top-notch approach and impressive success rate which stands at 75-80 percent. It’s because of their precision in everything from history-taking to ultrasonography and their cutting-edge labs. This IVF facility boasts the world’s best technology, like a ‘closed working chamber’ for egg fertilization. The eggs are fertilized in a closed chamber that replicates the human body conditions like temperature, carbon dioxide, pH, and oxygen, resulting in higher embryo and pregnancy quality. It’s remarkable.

 Also to prevent mix-up in egg and sperm handling, Indira IVF has combined technology and science by introducing the Risk Identification (RI) system. This system triggers an alarm if it detects any mismatched samples. This ensures that errors are practically non-existent. Another interesting aspect is the use of Artificial Intelligence. Our eyes can miss tiny details but, with AI, specialists at Indira IVF can pinpoint the best embryos and grade them, ensuring the best possible outcomes.

 What latest scientific breakthroughs and advancements in Assisted Reproductive Technology are in use at the Indira IVF?

Indira IVF is ahead in IVF technology. They’ve got the best services, experienced embryologists, and a big research team constantly rolling out the latest technology like the Closed Working Chamber, Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection  (ICSI), and Day Five embryo blast transfer. Speaking of embryos, there are two types, Day Three and Day Five and Indira IVF goes for Day Five due to its high success rate. They even use Laser Assisted Hatching, making tiny drills in the outer cells so that when the embryo is implanted, it can easily break out and attach to the uterus. Indira IVF is all about quality injections and has a 24/7 monitoring system.

 At Indira IVF, to address issues like a low egg count, egg problems, irregular ovulation, or instances where natural pregnancy is unlikely, we employ ICSI, a more advanced version of IVF. While IVF involves placing one egg amidst many sperm for self-fertilization, ICSI takes it up by injecting a single sperm directly into one egg. This technique is particularly beneficial in cases of male infertility with a low sperm count, enabling men to have their genetic offspring.

 In what ways does Indira IVF contribute to facilitating skill development in Nepal?

Through Indira Fertility Academic, a well-known fertility training center, over 400 embryologists have received training in India. For Nepal, this means that doctors or neurologists can undergo training at Indira IVF and return to contribute their expertise, bridging the manpower gap in the field in their country. 

How does Indira IVF make services accessible to a wide range of people?

Our price list is set to be inclusive, welcoming everyone from different economic backgrounds whether low-income or middle-class. Our services are not just affordable but also rooted in research, making them accessible to a wide range of people. And for those with lower incomes who might struggle with the costs, we offer discounts on various facilities.

What can be done if a couple has issues in conceiving?

If a couple, despite having unprotected sex, faces difficulty in conceiving, it’s important to acknowledge it as a potential infertility issue. The crucial first step is to consult a doctor because fertility issues can be complex and affect both partners. Seeking early medical advice can allow for simpler treatments, addressing hormonal imbalances or egg-related problems but delaying consultation might result in missed opportunities. 

In today’s context, modern technology provides empowerment, offering options like egg freezing. Since biological clocks and career plans aren’t always in sync, as a specialist, I recommend you freeze those eggs and sperm. When the time is right and you are with your partner of choice, you’re good to go for making healthy babies. Quality tends to drop with age, so it’s about being a step ahead.

The ruling coalition has finalized the sharing of seats for the National Assembly election.

A meeting of the ruling coalition held in Baluwatar on Sunday finalized the seat-sharing for the election.

According to which, Nepali Congress will get 10, CPN (Maoist Center) six, CPN (Unified Socialist) two, and Janata Samajbadi Party will get one seat.

After the meeting, Nepali Congress Chief Whip Ramesh Lekhak said that the sharing of seats has been finalized among the ruling coalition parties.

He said that the cluster has been finalized in many places and it will be finalized in some places soon.

With the agreement on seat distribution, the parties are preparing to finalize the name of the candidates by holding internal discussions.

According to a source, CPN (US) Chairman Nepal demanded three seats for his party.

But Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba had said that two seats can only be given to his party.

Though Congress leader Lekhak said that there was an agreement, the leaders of the CPN (US) are not happy with the seat distribution.

Filing of nominations for the election to the National Assembly will be held on Monday. The final list of voters is being published today.

The National Assembly election for 19 seats has been scheduled for January 25.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has publicly invited submission as part of its initiative to enhance the efficiency and capacity of entities under the home administration.

A study committee and a thematic sub-committee have been constituted to devise action plans to improve the performance and capacity of bodies within the home ministry, according to Home Ministry Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai.

The Ministry formed the committee under the headship of former Chief Secretary Leelamani Poudyal. 

The committee is expected to present a comprehensive report outlining plans and strategies for the enhancement of home administration.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Narayan Kaji Shrestha said the government will implement reform measures based on the recommendations provided in the committee's report.

Individuals interested in contributing to the reform process are encouraged to visit the ministry's official website at www.moha.gov.np to submit their suggestions, particularly in areas such as local administration, armed police, Nepal police, and immigration.

Bird census has started in Chitwan today.

Bird Education Society Chitwan has started counting the birds from Rapti River, Budhirapti, Dhumre, Kasara and other areas of East Chitwan.

According to the district president of the society, Tikaram Giri, bird census started from Saturday across the country but it has started in Chitwan from today. Birds will be counted at nine locations in East Chitwan, to be followed by a census in West Chitwan.

The census is scheduled to be completed by January 21. Binocular cameras, GPS, sound recorders etc. are being used to count the birds.

So far, more than 650 species of birds have been found in Chitwan district.

Bird counting has been taking place in Nepal since 1987.

The gold is being traded at Rs 119, 500 per tola in the domestic market on Sunday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, tejabi gold is being traded at Rs 118, 950 per tola.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 1,420 per tola today. 

The Central Work Execution Committee meeting of the ruling Nepali Congress is being held today.

The meeting of the Committee has been called at the party's central office in Sanepa at 1 pm today, said NC Central Office Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Paudel.

The meeting is scheduled to discuss the upcoming National Assembly elections.

Filing of nominations for the National Assembly elections is being held tomorrow for the election to be held on January 25.

Meanwhile, the Congress has requested the office-bearers and members of the Central Work Execution Committee to attend the meeting.

Two persons died while three others were injured in separate road accidents in Jhapa district last night.

A person died when a motorcycle went out of control near Jhilimili Bridge in Bhadrapur Municipality-4 last night, and a person died and two others were injured when a passenger bus hit a motorcycle at Charpane Chowk in Birtamode Municipality-2.

Motorcycle rider Dhanapati Pathak (31) and Lekhnath Dahal (28) of Kachankewal Municipality-2 were injured when the motorcycle (Pra 1-01-013 Pa 9607) went out of control and hit the pillar on the side of the Jhilimili Bridge in Bhadrapur Municipality-4.

Of them, pillion rider Dahal died while undergoing treatment at Omsai Pathibhara Hospital, Bhadrapur while Pathak is still undergoing treatment at the same hospital.

Similarly, Toyanath Upreti of Kankai Municipality-8, died when the motorcycle (Me 1 Pa 7248) he was riding on hit by a passenger bus (Pra 1-01-002Ba. 0149), Police Inspector Nawaraj Neupane of District Traffic Office Jhapa said.

Raviratna Sitaula (59) of Kankai-5 and Sagar Majhi of Bahradashi Rural Municipality-7 who were riding pillion riding were injured in the incident. Both are undergoing treatment at Birta City Hospital, Biratmode.

Police said that they arrested the bus driver for investigation.