Colombia's Fertility Pioneers
Colombia's history in reproductive medicine runs deeper than most people realize. On January 10, 1985, Diana Carolina Mendez was born in Bogotá — the first baby conceived through IVF in Latin America. The procedure was performed by Dr. Elkin Lucena and his team at CECOLFES (the Colombian Center for Fertility and Sterility), which he had founded just a few years earlier.
That's over 40 years of continuous fertility expertise in the country. The clinics operating today aren't newcomers experimenting with reproductive technology — they're the inheritors of a deep institutional knowledge base.
The Leading Fertility Centers
InSer — Instituto de Fertilidad Humana
Founded 1995 in Medellín. Now operates five clinics across Medellín, Bogotá, Cartagena, Pereira, and Barranquilla. 15 fertility specialists on staff. Over 20,000 families assisted, 15,000+ pregnancies achieved. 80% of patients achieve parenthood across their treatment journey. First fertility center in Colombia to earn AAAASF accreditation (2012). GHA accredited (2020). JCI accredited for Medellín outpatient center (2025). RedLara and ACCERH certified.
Eugin Colombia
Part of the global Eugin network with 25+ years of fertility expertise across Europe and Latin America. Only Colombian location is in Bogotá. The only clinic in Colombia with its own egg bank, meaning shorter wait times for donor cycles. Specialists in the ROPA method for lesbian couples. ISO certified with highly standardized international protocols. English, Spanish, and Portuguese support.
Conceptum
Founded 1988 in Bogotá. One of the earliest fertility clinics in Latin America, with over 35 years of continuous operation. Members of ACCER, RedLara, ESHRE, ASRM, and the Oncofertility Consortium. Explicit LGBTQ+ inclusion since founding. Partnership with Surrogacy Colombia for gestational surrogacy programs. Dedicated psychological support program (Igood) for patients.
CECOLFES
Founded in the early 1980s by Dr. Elkin Lucena. Produced the first IVF baby in Latin America (1985), the first hemophilia-free male birth via PGD worldwide (1995), and the first pregnancy from frozen-thawed eggs in Colombia (2005). Locations in Bogotá and Cartagena. Offers the full range of ART services including gender selection for medical reasons (PGD).
Training and Credentials
Colombian fertility specialists typically complete their medical degrees at top national universities (Universidad de los Andes, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Universidad de Antioquia), followed by OB/GYN residencies and then specialized fellowships in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Many complete additional training or fellowships at institutions in the United States and Europe.
The field is supported by strong professional organizations. ACCERH (the Colombian Association of Human Reproduction Centers) maintains standards across member clinics. RedLara audits laboratory practices and validates success rate reporting across Latin America. Membership in international bodies like ESHRE (European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology) and ASRM (American Society for Reproductive Medicine) keeps Colombian doctors connected to the latest research and protocols.
Understanding Accreditations
| Accreditation | What It Means |
|---|---|
| JCI | Joint Commission International. Gold standard for hospital/clinic safety and quality. 1,200+ measurable standards. US-based. |
| GHA | Global Healthcare Accreditation. Specifically evaluates medical travel services — patient experience, coordination, and safety for international patients. |
| AAAASF | American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities. US-based accreditation for outpatient surgical centers. |
| RedLara | Latin American Network of Assisted Reproduction. Validates fertility lab practices, protocols, and statistical reporting across the region. |
| ACCERH | Colombian Association of Human Reproduction Centers. National professional organization maintaining standards across member clinics. |
What to ask during your consultation: Request your doctor's specific training background, the clinic's RedLara certification status, and success rate data broken down by age group and treatment type. Reputable clinics will share this information readily.