Dr. Laxmi Shrikhande discusses the challenges of accessing infertility treatment in India, where about 27.5 million couples are affected by subfertility. High costs, lack of government support, and limited insurance coverage make IVF treatment unaffordable for many, leading to a 75% decline rate after initial consultations. Suggested strategies to reduce costs include simplifying investigative methods and procedures in assisted reproductive technology (ART).
Dr. Laxmi ShrikhandeMD; FICOG; FICMU;FICMCH
• Medical Director-Shrikhande Fertility Clinic, Nagpur
• National Corresponding Editor-The Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology of India
• Senior Vice President FOGSI 2012
• Chairperson Designate ICOG 2020 , Vice Chairperson ICOG 2019
• National Governing Council member ICOG 2012-2017
• National Governing Council Member ISAR 2014-2019
• National Governing Council Member IAGE for 3 terms
• Patron & President -Vidarbha Chapter ISOPARB
• Chairperson-HIV/AIDS Committee, FOGSI (2007-09)
• Received Best Committee Award of FOGSI
• Received Bharat excellence Award for women’s health
• President Nagpur OB/GY Society 2005-06
• Immediate Past President Menopause Society, Nagpur
• Associate member of RCOG
• Member of European Society of Human Reproduction
• Visited 96 FOGSI Societies as invited faculty
• Delivered 11 orations and 450 guest lectures
• Publications-Twenty National & eleven International
• Received Nagpur Ratan Award at the hands of Union Minister Shri Nitinji Gadkari
• Presented Papers in FIGO, AICOG, SAFOG, AICC-RCOG conferences
• Conducted adolescent health programme for more than 15,000 adolescent girls
• Conducted health awareness programme for more than 10,000 women
Subfertility as aglobal health issue
Subfertility has been overlooked as a global health issue, despite
affecting one in seven couples.
27.5 million couples in India suffer from infertility
4.
Introduction
Since the firsttest tube baby was born in the year 1978, IVF treatment has been
developed and improved to benefit millions of people who experience
childlessness.
It is estimated that the number of IVF infants in the world has now surpassed
five million. However, there are still many people who are unable to gain access
to this form of treatment.
Reasons are many but mainly it is financial constraint
Many developed countries has a system in place whereby either The Govt bears
the full cost or partial cost
International Journal of Women’s Health August 2014
5.
ART is selffinanced
In India ART is self financed.
Cost is a major deterrent to couples seeking infertility
treatment.
This is highlighted by the fact that three quarters of
Indian couples decline IVF treatment after first
consultation
Even in the developed world, individual couples find
it difficult to access ART facilities they have to bear
the cost
6.
Suggested strategies toreduce the cost of
IVF treatment
Simplifying investigative methods
Reducing the cost of ovarian
stimulation
Simplifying procedures and
equipment in the laboratory
Minimizing the complications of
IVF
7.
Summary
High cost involvedin establishing and maintaining a good ART
laboratory, the constant need to upgrade and adopt new technology
and the use of stimulation protocols that use expensive drugs, makes
ART treatment expensive.
With most ART centres being in the private sector and with non-
existent insurance cover, IVF as a treatment option becomes
unaffordable for the majority