By Admin 
Why IVF Is Expensive In India: The cost of IVF in India has become so high that most couples are drowning in debt while undergoing treatment. A new government report shows that 9 out of every 10 Indian couples who undergo IVF end up in a situation where the cost of treatment exceeds 10 percent of their annual income. On an average, an IVF cycle costs around Rs 2.3 lakh in private hospitals and Rs 1.1 lakh in government hospitals. This burden is very heavy for any ordinary family and this is the most shocking thing about this report.
This is the first major study in the country which has been prepared by ICMR-NIRRCH for the Health Ministry. This clearly shows that IVF is not only expensive but is also proving to be a financial setback for many families because success in one cycle is not guaranteed and often people have to try at least three times. The report also cites WHO data, according to which 4 to 17 percent of couples in India struggle with infertility and about 8 percent of them require advanced treatment like IVF.
Why is treatment expensive?
The entire process of IVF goes through several stages, including ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, fertilization, embryo transfer, and constant monitoring. This is the reason why this treatment is both technically difficult and financially heavy. Ayushman Bharat scheme currently provides hospital treatment cover of up to Rs 5 lakh to vulnerable sections, but IVF is not included in it. The report clearly says that since most of the IVF expenses are incurred in OPD, it should be included in the package. If included in the scheme, the cost of Rs 81,332 thousand of one IVF cycle has been recommended to be considered as the government rate. About 2.8 crore couples in the country are facing the problem of infertility, for whom IVF is the last hope, but the high cost of treatment blocks the way for them.
The study also revealed that PCOS was the most common cause of infertility among all the surveyed patients. Direct treatment costs are higher in private hospitals, whereas patients in government hospitals have to bear higher non-medical expenses, such as travel, accommodation expenses and loss of time off work. Even before IVF started, so much had been spent on one in four patients that it reached the category of “catastrophic expenditure”. The report also shows that the problem of infertility still gets very low priority in India’s health system, while there is almost no financial security for its treatment.
Why is IVF becoming so expensive?
The cost of one cycle of IVF can range from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2.5 lakh. This includes the cost of medicines, tests, monitoring, embryo lab, and multiple attempts. On top of that, inflation has further increased the price of medicines and tests. This expense is unbearable for middle-class families. According to the Household Consumption Survey, rural families spend about Rs 17,000 every month. In such a situation, the cost of IVF exceeds the entire annual income of many people.
Also read: Cancer Cases In Delhi: New cases of cancer are increasing every year in India, most affected in Delhi! Read shocking report
Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.
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