Dr. Devika Gunasheela Welcomes Growth in Fertility Science with a Human Touch on Evolve Podcast
Bangalore, India 07th March 2025: Infertility is more than a medical condition, it’s an emotional and societal battle, especially for women. Despite medical advancements, the stigma remains, forcing many couples to suffer in silence. “Society is not always kind to women struggling with infertility,” says Dr Devika Gunasheela, a pioneer in reproductive medicine. “Beyond medical treatment, they need hope, positivity, and belief in themselves.”
Featured on the Evolve podcast by Eka Care with Founder and CEO Vikalp Sahni as the host, Dr Gunasheela shares the remarkable legacy of Gunasheela Surgical and Maternity Hospital, which is set to celebrate 50 years of groundbreaking contributions to reproductive healthcare. Gunasheela Clinic has numerous accolades, from pioneering South India’s first assisted reproductive treatment (ART) baby to India’s first in vitro maturation (IVM) baby. Now integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and genetic testing to advance patient outcomes, Dr Gunasheela is working toward the emotional and societal challenges infertility patients face. She emphasizes, “We can never take out the human touch. Patients come to us with so much emotional baggage. Society is not always kind to women struggling with infertility. Beyond medical treatment, they need hope, positivity, and belief in themselves.”
Dr Gunasheela’s journey is as much about perseverance as it is about science. She recalls how her mother, Dr Sulochana Gunasheela, faced skepticism when she set out to bring in vitro fertilization (IVF) technology to India. “People thought she was mad to invest so much in a field with no immediate returns,” she shares. “But for her, it was never about the short term—it was about making the impossible possible.” With no internet, limited resources, and little guidance, her mother built India’s first fertility lab, learning from scratch and collaborating with scientists and veterinary experts to develop world-class IVF treatments. That same spirit of perseverance drives Gunasheela Hospital today, as it continues to push the boundaries of reproductive science.
The hospital’s dedication to implementing cutting-edge technologies has led to better patient results and higher pregnancy rates. Dr Devika’s commitment to advancing the field of reproductive medicine. The hospital continues to allocate resources to advanced equipment, such as the embryoscope, which allows for live observation of embryo growth and significantly enhances the chances of successful pregnancies.
AI, Genetics, and the Future of Fertility
The IVF sector is experiencing rapid growth, with the global market expected to reach $32.11 billion by 2025 and $68.57 billion by 2034, representing a compound annual growth rate(CAGR) of 8.80%. In India, the IVF services market was valued at $883.50 million in 2022 and is projected to grow to $4.67 billion by 2032. This expansion is driven by increasing awareness and accessibility of fertility treatments. As infertility rates rise and technology advances, there is a growing need for assisted reproductive technologies.
Recognizing this rapid evolution, host Vikalp Sahni delves into the emerging trends shaping reproductive medicine, “The landscape of healthcare is constantly evolving, and fertility science has seen some of the most groundbreaking advancements—from AI-driven embryo selection to genetic testing. Dr Gunasheela, with 50 years of expertise at Gunasheela Hospital, you’ve seen this field transform firsthand. What are the key trends you believe will shape the future of reproductive medicine?”
Dr Gunasheela highlights AI-powered fertility solutions, genetic advancements, and the next frontier in reproductive technology as major forces driving change. AI is enhancing patient outcomes by optimizing sperm selection for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and predicting embryo viability. “Personalisation is what AI will assist with,” she explains. “Every patient is different, and AI can help tailor treatments for better success rates.” The podcast further examines the development of fertility therapies, featuring the advent of ultrasound, laparoscopy, and innovative methods like in vitro maturation (IVM) and pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT).
The Role of Tattvagene in Genetic Testing
Dr Devika founded Tattvagene, a genetics laboratory dedicated to exploring the genetics elements affecting infertility. Genetics plays a crucial role in reproductive science. Dr Gunasheela emphasized this point, “We have set up Tattva Gene, a genetics lab that offers pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT). This laboratory is essential to be able to detect a genetic disorder in an embryo so that parents can decide whether to proceed with a pregnancy that is likely to fail or use an embryo selection to improve the chances of a successful pregnancy.”
Dr Devika’s dedication to patient care goes beyond just medical treatment. She highlights the significance of mental and emotional support for her patients, recognizing that the path to parenthood can be filled with difficulties. Her holistic approach combines cutting-edge technology with compassionate care, ensuring that the patient receives the support they need throughout their journey.
Reproductive medicine is evolving rapidly, driven by innovative technologies such as artificial ovaries and ectogenesis, which involves developing embryos in artificial wombs. These advancements represent a significant shift in addressing infertility and improving reproductive healthcare. The field is continuously adapting to meet the changing needs of patients, offering promising solutions and new possibilities for those seeking reproductive assistance.
Evolve Podcast Navigating Healthcare’s Digital Evolution
Vikalp Sahni, a serial entrepreneur and tech visionary, is the driving force behind Eka Care’s AI-first mission to empower doctors in India. With over 15 years of experience in building scalable technology platforms, His leadership focuses on integrating artificial intelligence into healthcare to simplify workflows and improve outcomes. Vikalp is a host of the podcast “Evolve”, which explores the intersections of the world of healthcare with other aspects of society. The Evolve podcast is a series that explores the ever-changing nature of healthcare and technology with the thought leaders and innovators who are helping to shape the future of medicine. This episode showcases the advancement in reproductive healthcare and also the spirit of patient-centric care. “Evolve is about navigating the dynamic landscape of healthcare and technology,” he shares. “It’s an opportunity to learn from others and share our experience.”
The episode concludes with Dr. Gunasheela emphasizing that not all technology is universally beneficial—the key is identifying what works, what doesn’t, and what truly improves patient outcomes. Innovation, she notes, must always be driven by practical application and patient well-being.