Maharashtra: Govt Hospitals To Soon Offer Expensive IVF Treatment For Free

In a significant move, the government-run medical college and hospitals (GMCH) in Maharashtra will soon provide free IVF treatment, which is valued at over INR 2 lakh in private clinics.

This initiative will help address fertility concerns that extends into rural areas. Owing to this, thousands of couple, who cannot afford high-priced facilities, battling infertility can have access to treatment.

It is pertinent to note that IVF centres launched at civic-run hospitals in Mumbai have proven highly beneficial for numerous childless parents. At Sion Hospital, more than 50 couples have already enrolled.

A data revealed by the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) indicates a worrisome decline in Maharashtra’s total fertility rate (TFR).

The average children per woman has dropped from 1.9 in NFHS–4 to 1.7 in NFHS–5, below the national average. NFHS–5 (phase 2) by the Union Health Ministry shows a nationwide decline from 2.2 to 2.0 TFR. In a further breakdown of figures, urban areas report 1.6 TFR, and rural areas 2.1, with an overall rate of 2.0 TFR.

By making the costly treatment accessible for free in government-run facilities, this effort aims at combating fertility challenges irrespective of economic status or geographic location. A budget of INR 64 crore has been allocated to setting up nine IVF centers in nine GMHs — with each of them being set up at a cost of INR 7.2 crore.

Additionally, in a first-of-its-kind initiative, the state health department has decided to establish IVF centres in eight medical colleges.

The list comprises Swami Ramanand Teerth Rural Medical College in Ambajogai, Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Government Medical College and General Hospital in Baramati, Shri Vasantrao Naik Government Medical College in Yavatmal, Government Medical College and Hospital in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Dr Vaishampayan Memorial Government Medical College in Solapur, Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College in Nanded, Chhatrapati Pramila Raje Seva Sadharan Hospital in Kolhapur, JJ Hospital in Mumbai, and Government Medical College in Nagpur.

The centres will acquire essential equipment like high-quality microscopes for assessing and handling eggs, sperm, and embryos. Centrifuges are vital for preparing sperm, and embryo culture systems provide a controlled environment for cultivating embryos.

Meanwhile, the centres already have machines like ultrasonography and endoscopy but will procure additional equipment specifically for IVF treatments.