Portrait of Dr. Dévai István

I graduated from the Szent-Györgyi Albert Medical University in Szeged in 1975. I chose obstetrics and gynecology as my specialty, with my initial positions at the Toldy Ferenc Hospital and Outpatient Clinic in Cegléd and the Maternity Home in Nagykáta. In 1978, I joined the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Róbert Károly Boulevard Hospital in Budapest and worked in the research laboratory of the Chinoin Pharmaceutical Company. I completed my board certification in obstetrics and gynecology in 1979 at the National Institute of Medical Education (OTKI), affiliated with the Imre Hajnal University of Health Sciences.

Since 1978, I have been actively involved in the work of the Endocrinology and Fertility Outpatient Clinic at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, which, with its excellent laboratory background, focused on treating infertile patients. In 1986, we began organizing the IVF program, assembling the team, equipment, and laboratory infrastructure. By the autumn of 1988, our first pregnancies were achieved, and on June 7, 1989, Hungary’s and Budapest’s first IVF baby was born.

In addition to being a member of the Hungarian Society for Assisted Reproduction, I have also been affiliated with several international societies, including ESHRE (European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology) and the Austrian Society for Reproductive Medicine and Endocrinology. To maintain professional expertise, I have participated in and delivered presentations at numerous national and international training sessions and conferences.

Despite challenging years, we persevered, and hundreds of children were born under our care. Eventually, I decided to establish a private institution. The Dévai Institute was built and began operations in January 2000 with the collaboration of dedicated former colleagues. The agreement with Hungary’s National Health Insurance Fund (OEP) in 2001 allowed for broader patient care, and by 2002, we were among the first in Hungary to work within an ISO-certified framework. During our operations, more than 2,000 children were born.

On December 19, 2019, following a decision by the Hungarian Government, the majority of private reproductive centers, including the Dévai Institute, became state-owned. With thousands of assisted reproduction treatments and 35 years of experience, I continue my work in assisted reproduction at the Dunamenti REK Reproduction Center, addressing the unique needs of each patient.