TN Gets Its First Public Fertility Treatment Centre with Level-2 Care

The newly built facility will offer level-two care as well as fertility treatment including IVF, free of cost to poor patients.

The Women and Children Hospital at Egmore, Tamil Nadu is going to inaugurate the states first public fertility treatment unit by October 15.

The newly built facility will offer level-two care as well as fertility treatment including IVF, free of cost to poor patients.

This initiative is in line with the government's efforts to provide affordable healthcare services, particularly in response to the rising fertility rate, which has resulted in increased healthcare expenses for low-income individuals.

Earlier, in view of the increase in the infertility rate among men and women, Health Minister Ma Subramanian had proposed the establishment of fully functioning in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) centre at two locations- Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai and the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology attached to the Egmore Hospital in Chennai.

Reportedly, the government allotted INR 22.5 Cr for each of these centres, which were scheduled to open in September.

Assisted Reproductive Treatment (ART) clinics have been increasing in number across the state, leading to numerous complaints about these private clinics overcharging for their services. Many individuals find these private clinics financially out of reach due to their exorbitant rates, with experts estimating an average cost ranging from 2.5 Lakh to 25 Lakh. In some extreme cases, families have resorted to pledging their properties, including their homes, to finance fertility treatments.

Founded in 1844, the Government Hospital for Women and Children, Egmore also known as the Egmore Maternity Hospital, is a landmark institution in Chennai. The hospital's primary aim is to provide comprehensive healthcare services to women and children. The hospital has been a center of excellence in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Today, this hospital is recognised as a centre of excellence and delivers around 22,000 babies annually.

In a similar context, days back, India's Oasis Fertility, unveiled Ask Oasis fertility, an AI powered interactive chat box designed to provide support and information to couples facing fertility challenges. This initiative aimed to bridge the knowledge gap and empower couples to make well-informed decisions regarding fertility treatments.

In another development, a Hyderabad-based fertility care service provider, Ferty9 Fertility Centre collaborated with CooperSurgical Solutions for enhanced fertility solutions. This collaboration marks the initiation of India's first-ever Improving Outcome Partnership (IOP) in the field of fertility care, aimed at elevating success rates for couples seeking fertility solutions.