Planning a Baby  Discussion Forum

' Craft' has accomplished its name internationally, leaving the question to many ' how' ? I did not understand how this disorderly management gained this accreditation and acceptance. I am least convinced about the efficiency of management, the herbal medications, the cleanliness and all the more ' the unskilled and easy going employees' there.

It is your decision time:

1.This hospital asks you to wear a ' lungi (used by many)' before you go for a scan! And pathetically the scan table has yet another USED sheet! Has this internationally renowned hospital not aware of hygeine? and the use of tissue roles?

2. Your are not supposed to use shoes inside the hospital and therefore kept pair(s) of sandals infront of the toilet and most of the time those sandals are missing and you end up using the toilet bare-foot! Note that you should carry liquid soap/soap tissue as I could not find any! If you ask for soap the workers would come up with the hidden liquid soap!

3. Most of the time doctors will not come on time. I am aware that they are involved in various responsibilities and do not want to disrupt them. However their duty and responsibility includes making an alternate arrangement or to have a time line for consultation. The management should realise that time has equal value for everyone and unnecessary waiting COULD be avoided.

4. None of the doctors discussed about the course of treatment or the cause and effect of herbal medications! Could not get any clue about most of the medications, apart from they are very expensive 999/- per bottle. It is a patients right to know about authenticity of the medicines they consume.
Altogether I am confused and not convinced about the hospital!

Hello Painy…. I am really sorry that you had bad experience in CRAFT. Actually one of our patient from Malaysia mailed me regarding your letter. So I have registered in this site to just say sorry for all the grievances you had experienced in CRAFT.
All the comments you have made in your letter had been looked into and I will see to that all staff concerned to the respective department should behave as professionals and care for the patients.
Let me tell you few things about the Herbal medicine. It is prescribed only to the patients with very poor ant follicular count and poor ovarian reserve. There is no medicine available to improve this condition in modern medicine. Usually all other centers advice for a donor egg for these patient or they will recruit for IVF programme and last minute they will advice a donor or give you a failed result. But in CRAFT we are not doing DONOR IVF programme and we believe that every couple have certain percentage of chance (even if it is 10%) in getting their own babies. And we also believe in sanctity of the wedlock. So we had extensive search for a solution to help this patients in alternative medicine (including acupuncture and Chinese medicine) for improving this condition. We found herbal medicine to be effective. We don’t claim that it is effective in all patient but I can give at least 25 references of patient who had donor-ivf failed in other centers have their own babies form CRAFT. Please do contact me through our website. We don’t insist to take Herbal medicine to our patients. Its your personal coice to buy .It is not a CRAFT product and the original company is selling it directly.If you are not happy with it don’t take it and do only life style modification and weight reduction through other methods.
I totally deny your other allegation that we are only money minded. I can give you very good proof for that.
1) If we wanted only money then we would have started DONOR-IVF programme and easily I can increase the revenue 4 times. I will tell you most of the IVF centers survive through egg sharing and embryo sharing and DONOR- IVF. It’s a BIG NO from CRAFT even if a couple wanted donor programme. We actually council them for adoption rather than getting somebody else baby after expensive treatment.

2) If we wanted only money then we could have used the cheap Indian hormones for stimulation where the pharma company gives 100% offer (1 vial free for 1 vial). There are so many hidden ways of making money in IVF treatment. The consumables used in IVF treatment are expensive and there are cheap imitations also available. If we use that we can also do the IVF in very cheap rate. But that will reduce our result , I can guarantee you that all the machineries ,equipments and drugs used for IVF treatment in CRAFT are best in the world and more than 90% is sourced from various part of the world. I can give you proof if you want to.

3) CRAFT is the only centre with not even one person appointed for marketing. Our marketing people are our patients only. Still we do the Maximum Non donor IVF programme in India. We do more than 1000 cycles every year way ahead of our competitors. We have the highest success rate too. This is possible only through the standardization and expertise. I have the numbers for the last 5 years and you can have a look. This is not self claimed as you said.

4)Dr. Ashraf have license to practice in 5 countries . He earn much more in oversees than in India. If he wanted only money he would have continued practicing there and managed here with the team of 15 gynecologists at CRAFT. I don’t think any other IVF center have this many doctors in one department. He is one person who keeps the value of human life and human relationship .He started his practice in this small town and he want to maintain the love and affection the people have shown to him. He owes all his successes to his people back at home. CRAFT is giving job to more than 200 people directly and many more indirectly.


5)CRAFT is designed to cater all types of patients including rich and poor. So cost effectiveness is maintained by cutting down unnecessary expenses. We can easily appoint few good looking staff in the marketing department and extract money by charging hidden charges. You can make out that our charges are transparent and will be informed during the counseling time it self. We also do so many IVF free of cost or in reduced price for deserving and needy couples. This is only possible by cost cutting exercise.

6)We give utmost importance to cleanliness and patient care. We don’t care about the expenses met in the critical areas. CRAFT won the cleanest hospital for 2010 from Pollution control Board, Govt of Kerala. You can check in their website. We don’t believe in frills. Otherwise we could have given you a attractive bill > the bill which you have commented was made from recycled paper.

CRAFT provide hot water in the room. Specifically saying we cater all patients including poor to celebrities. We have rooms with cooking facilities too. We also have attached rooms for 350 Rs (including Nursing charges,Doctos fees and utilities). Can you name any other Hospital with this kind of rent? I don’t know which type of room you stayed. But we definitely have rooms with heater, Fridge, Washing machine ect.

We can easily appoint few better looking customer care staff in the front office charge some more money from our poor patients. Our Objective for CRAFT is to give best possible treatment at an affordable cost….. Our claims are always what we have. I know certain centers claim 70-80% which is not possible by IVF. I will tell you a small story… once there was an enquiry team came to CRAFT from health ministry. Few doctors (our competitors) given a complaint that they cannot believe our results and it is not possible. We had all the proof and result in our records with patient contact number. After the enquiry they have officially reported our claims are true.

Once again I am extremely sorry for your bad experience at CRAFT. I will see to that action will be taken to the irresponsible staff who behaved to you in unprofessional way. A lot of hard work
Over 12 years have made CRAFT to the present position. I still feels that our best supporters are our own patients only. Without them we would not have grown. So I want each and every person coming to CRAFT should go back with their dream full filled. If you want anymore clarification regarding anything please feel free to contact me or Dr.Joy innocent.

We all at CRAFT believe in our karma and god will give you rewards for all the good things and bad things you do in your life.
Wishing you all the best

Hello Anny,Painy…. I am really sorry that you had bad experience in CRAFT. Actually one of our patient from Malaysia mailed me regarding your letter. So I have registered in this site to just say sorry for all the grievances you had experienced in CRAFT.
All the comments you have made in your letter had been looked into and I will see to that all staff concerned to the respective department should behave as professionals and care for the patients.
Let me tell you few things about the Herbal medicine. It is prescribed only to the patients with very poor ant follicular count and poor ovarian reserve. There is no medicine available to improve this condition in modern medicine. Usually all other centers advice for a donor egg for these patient or they will recruit for IVF programme and last minute they will advice a donor or give you a failed result. But in CRAFT we are not doing DONOR IVF programme and we believe that every couple have certain percentage of chance (even if it is 10%) in getting their own babies. And we also believe in sanctity of the wedlock. So we had extensive search for a solution to help this patients in alternative medicine (including acupuncture and Chinese medicine) for improving this condition. We found herbal medicine to be effective. We don’t claim that it is effective in all patient but I can give at least 25 references of patient who had donor-ivf failed in other centers have their own babies form CRAFT. Please do contact me through our website. We don’t insist to take Herbal medicine to our patients. Its your personal coice to buy .It is not a CRAFT product and the original company is selling it directly.If you are not happy with it don’t take it and do only life style modification and weight reduction through other methods.
I totally deny your other allegation that we are only money minded. I can give you very good proof for that.
1) If we wanted only money then we would have started DONOR-IVF programme and easily I can increase the revenue 4 times. I will tell you most of the IVF centers survive through egg sharing and embryo sharing and DONOR- IVF. It’s a BIG NO from CRAFT even if a couple wanted donor programme. We actually council them for adoption rather than getting somebody else baby after expensive treatment.
2) If we wanted only money then we could have used the cheap Indian hormones for stimulation where the pharma company gives 100% offer (1 vial free for 1 vial). There are so many hidden ways of making money in IVF treatment. The consumables used in IVF treatment are expensive and there are cheap imitations also available. If we use that we can also do the IVF in very cheap rate. But that will reduce our result , I can guarantee you that all the machineries ,equipments and drugs used for IVF treatment in CRAFT are best in the world and more than 90% is sourced from various part of the world. I can give you proof if you want to.
3) CRAFT is the only centre with not even one person appointed for marketing. Our marketing people are our patients only. Still we do the Maximum Non donor IVF programme in India. We do more than 1000 cycles every year way ahead of our competitors. We have the highest success rate too. This is possible only through the standardization and expertise. I have the numbers for the last 5 years and you can have a look. This is not self claimed as you said.
4) Dr. Ashraf have license to practice in 5 countries . He earn much more in oversees than in India. If he wanted only money he would have continued practicing there and managed here with the team of 15 gynecologists at CRAFT. I don’t think any other IVF center have this many doctors in one department. He is one person who keeps the value of human life and human relationship .He started his practice in this small town and he want to maintain the love and affection the people have shown to him. He owes all his successes to his people back at home. CRAFT is giving job to more than 200 people directly and many more indirectly.
5) CRAFT is designed to cater all types of patients including rich and poor. So cost effectiveness is maintained by cutting down unnecessary expenses. We can easily appoint few good looking staff in the marketing department and extract money by charging hidden charges. You can make out that our charges are transparent and will be informed during the counseling time it self. We also do so many IVF free of cost or in reduced price for deserving and needy couples. This is only possible by cost cutting exercise.
6) We give utmost importance to cleanliness and patient care. We don’t care about the expenses met in the critical areas. CRAFT won the cleanest hospital for 2010 from Pollution control Board, Govt of Kerala. You can check in their website. We don’t believe in frills. Otherwise we could have given you a attractive bill > the bill which you have commented was made from recycled paper.
7) CRAFT provide hot water in the room. Specifically saying we cater all patients including poor to celebrities. We have rooms with cooking facilities too. We also have attached rooms for 350 Rs (including Nursing charges,Doctos fees and utilities). Can you name any other Hospital with this kind of rent? I don’t know which type of room you stayed. But we definitely have rooms with heater, Fridge, Washing machine ect.
8) We can easily appoint few better looking customer care staff in the front office charge some more money from our poor patients. Our Objective for CRAFT is to give best possible treatment at an affordable cost….. Our claims are always what we have. I know certain centers claim 70-80% which is not possible by IVF. I will tell you a small story… once there was an enquiry team came to CRAFT from health ministry. Few doctors (our competitors) given a complaint that they cannot believe our results and it is not possible. We had all the proof and result in our records with patient contact number. After the enquiry they have officially reported our claims are true.

Once again I am extremely sorry for your bad experience at CRAFT. I will see to that action will be taken to the irresponsible staff who behaved to you in unprofessional way. A lot of hard work
Over 12 years have made CRAFT to the present position. I still feels that our best supporters are our own patients only. Without them we would not have grown. So I want each and every person coming to CRAFT should go back with their dream full filled. If you want anymore clarification regarding anything please feel free to contact me or Dr.Joy innocent.
We all at CRAFT believe in our karma and god will give you rewards for all the good things and bad things you do in your life.
We wish you all the very best for your treatment ahead and may god fulfill your dream at the earliest

Hi Aisha,

I would like to give you some info about CRAFT hospital. Eventhough i have not done IVF there i would recommend you there. My best friend got a twin from there and two of my other friends recently. They can be trusted.
Even i was investigating about the best centre for ivf.It was CRAFT Hospital in kerala. We went there for a consultation and found that they were the best. Dr. Asraf has done nearly 29 ivfs that month and believe me or not 28 have become preg. He provides accommodation in the same hospital till delivery for all the patients. When I wanted to do an ivf with him he refused as I was overweight, asked me to return after reducing my weight. He could have done it for me if he is money minded. One of my best friend did it there after a failed ivf in Bangkok. She was 36 but now she has delivered twins. But just wanted to inform this he is the best. He spends a lot of time with you listens to you. He is a very famous doctor in Dubai as well.

Please dont go to CRAFT.
There u have to undergo many unnecessary tests.Eventhough Dr Ashraf is ok but u will not get him always especially during ICSI time.His associates only look patients.Also he will get angry if ICSI fails.
It is too much expensive too.

No aisha i m from chennai and i have no idea about bangalore hospitals. In chennai i could recommend prasanth hospital. Keep posted with your treatments.best wishes

Hi UK,

Thank u for ur prompt reply and information provided.
I am in search of a centre that has professional doctors in treating our case. My spouse has been diagnosed with severe male factor Non Obstructive azoospermia(NOA).He got his diagnosis done in Bangalore and We thought of visiting Gunasheela to get IVF/ICSI done over there. Since we have a very less scope of parenting am in search of a professional doctor who can deal with this NOA. Since we are located in Andhra at present, want to know all the information about CRAFT before having a personal visit over there.

Thank U

Thanks for your patience in explaining. I believe you live in bangalore.Since Bangalore gets direct flight from my country, it will be easier for my husband to visit every month during the treatment while i stay there. As it is a vibrant city and cosmopolitan, i felt that i will be comfortable there for the duration treatment.So as a resident of bangalore, do you have any idea about the fertility centres there? I have searched the internet and saw BACC and Cherish For Reproductive medicine which i thought might be good.
I still haven´ t made up my mind eventhough we are leaving to india on June 7th. All is set money wise and everything,but I have to choose a centre yet. So hope you can help me.
Thanks.

As i mentioned before i dont have experiance in CRAFT, but my friend paid nearly for treatment and medicines 2 lakh for ivf/icsi. The above include all the expenses for ivf/icsi, i have approx told your the amount.

Hi UK,

Can u pls let me know abt ur experience with CRAFT hospital.Wht would be charges for ICSI?

check in your web about craftivf, you will get more info. As i have been there i would say you contact DR.ASHRAF first by email (as few days he is in dubai).
The hospital provides room and food we have there own restaurant in the hospital itself. Food is ok there not too good or bad.
The city is a normal city in kerala, crowded. I dint really like the city but the hospital is good. But you would be there in room most of the time so look into their accomodation facility in web.
take care

Thank you for your advise. What´ s the city like where craft hospital is located? what´ s life like? are all amenities available? i am asking because i plan to stay at least for three consecutive treatments if it fails for the first time.
Thanks