Indore (Madhya Pradesh): In a significant step towards making advanced medical treatments accessible, Maharaja Yeshwantrao Hospital (MY Hospital) is set to become the first government hospital in Madhya Pradesh to introduce an In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) facility. This initiative aims to benefit people from middle and lower-middle-class backgrounds who cannot afford the expensive treatment at private hospitals. Dr Arvind Ghanghoria, Dean of the MGM Medical College said, “We have planned to set up a dedicated OPD for IVF and other related treatments to ensure proper medical care for patients facing fertility issues. The facility is expected to be opened to the public in a month and a half.”

Further emphasising the need for such an initiative, Dr Ghanghoria said, “Many people cannot afford the high expenses of IVF and remain deprived of the joy of having their own child. The objective of introducing this facility in a government hospital is to provide them with an affordable alternative.” Currently, IVF treatment at private hospitals costs between Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 10 lakh, keeping it out of reach for many. However, with MY Hospital offering this facility, the treatment cost will be significantly lower, ensuring wider accessibility.

Ayushman card holders to benefit in future

Once IVF treatment is covered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, beneficiaries will be able to access the treatment at MY Hospital at a cost within the scheme’s limit. This would further ease the financial burden on eligible families, said Dr Ghanghoria.

What is IVF?

In vitro fertilization, also called IVF, is a complex series of procedures that can lead to apregnancy. It’s a treatment for infertility, a condition for most couples where they can’t conceive despite trying for at least a year. IVF also can be used to prevent passing of genetic problems to a child. During IVF, mature eggs are collected from ovaries and fertilised by sperm in a lab. Then a procedure places one or more of the fertilised eggs, called embryos, in the uterus, which is where babies develop. One full cycle of IVF takes about 2-3 weeks. Sometimes, these steps are split further and the process can take longer.