Dr. Champa, driving force of Apeksha Clinic

Sanjeevi Jayasuriya

The world is fast becoming a global village and moving rapidly towards which is termed as a ‘developed’ status through advanced technology and innovation. This fast pace movement has resulted in adverse health issues and have an impact on daily lives.

Climate change and environmental pollution together with changing life styles has resulted in fertility issues that threatened the reproduction process. There is an increasing trend in childless couples where Sri Lanka is no exception. Our society plays great emphasis on children in a family life and they are the centre of attention. However, due to various reasons the number of children in a family is limited and in many instances couples do not have any.

Finding a solution and taking remedial action before it is too late was never the case as there were no or little opening for such remedial measures. However, with the able medical directorship of Dr. Champa Nelson at the Apeksha Fertilitycare (Pvt) Ltd at Pagoda Road Nugegoda things are looking bright for the couples with fertility problems.

The Apeksha Fertility and Women’s Health Centre true to its name has given hope to many women and make it possible for them to lead a normal life. It is not totally dedicated for women but men too could obtain treatment within the scope of facilities available. Dr. Champa is the driving force of the Apeksha Clinic which functions under the tag line ‘where there’s hope’ and making a valuable contribution towards realizing women’s dreams.

She was interviewed by Daily News Business.

Excerpts of the interview.

Q: How do you describe your line of business?

A: The Apeksha Fertilitycare Clinic was started in 2010 to fill in a vacuum as most of the specialized treatment facilities were centered in and around Colombo. I am a doctor by profession and was interested in fertility related filed where it has become a growing concern today. The prime focus of the clinic is sub fertility technology which is for assisted reproduction. We provide treatment for women’s healthcare from puberty to menopause including sub fertility which is our specialty. The range of treatment includes well women checkup, special skin treatment, sperm bank and other facilities such as all laboratory tests, ultra sound scanning, ECG, diabetic clinic and PCOD clinic. The treatment will address the problems of childlessness, dark skin making around the neck, excess hair growth, oily skin, excess pimples, irregular menses and gaining weight with advice on skin care, obesity, exercise and dieting.

Q: How do you manage time to handle your personal life?

A: The work I am involved is time consuming and hectic. My husband Deepal Nelson is very supportive towards the venture.

We have two children son Dushinka who is 21 years and a law student and daughter Shashinka is 17, a student of Holy Family convent Bambalapitiya. As they are grown up I am fully involved in the venture. My parents too are great strength to me. This has enabled me to meet the social obligations and family commitments successfully.

Q: What motivated you to venture in to business?

A: My background as a medical profession and the demand I identified for these types of services were the appeal towards Apeksha. According to a recent research 15 percent of the couples are sub-fertiled.

The reasons behind this are career expectations of women, pollution, eating habits, smoking and toxicity. There is a drop in sperm count and 40 percent of the men globally suffer from this condition where it has become an unexplained problem.

Q: What are your goals?

A: To make couples with difficulties to have children and start a family. It is not possible that all women be pregnant and we intend making them understand this situation and encourage them to lead a happy life accepting it. The uniqueness of fertility treatment is the counseling process which focuses to cheer childless couples to lead a better life within the social constraints. We provide counseling based treatment and do our best to make them comfortable.

Q: How do you face the challenges of competition?

A: As this is a service oriented venture and monetary consideration comes secondary, we do not feel there is competition as such. However, we maintain high service delivery and quality treatment process to ensure excellent relationship with our service seekers. This is a specialized treatment facility and with passing time there will be more demand for the nature of services we provide. We have developed a code of practice and follow UK law to maintain high standards.

Q: What is your specialty?

A: Apeksha is not only a treatment facility but also engages in social responsibility work. It carries out public awareness programmes in schools, universities, garment factories and offices on voluntary basis. There is a dedicated team that does the best for all who visit Apeksha with a shared vision to make them realize their dreams.

Q: What are your achievements in business?

A: We were recently awarded the Bronze Award in the small category at the Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry conducted Women Entrepreneur of the Year 2011 award ceremony. I received the national Science and Technology Award in 2005 for the work done previously from the National Science and Technology Agency for delivering the first test tube bay. Much more than these awards I consider every pregnancy to be an achievement. The happiness derive from the news of a new born is invaluable and immeasurable.

Q: What is your message to society?

A: The message will be related to the field I am involved as I fear fertility will become a major issue in the future. I advice women to marry young and start a family without postponing having children. Especially, the career women should not put their career before their child. If you plan having children have them early to avoid unnecessary problems. It is your family that will stand by you and having children is precious. It gives meaning and add colour to your life. You will never regret this decision.

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