Karnataka: After two years, govt-run IVF clinics may be a reality soon

Bengalru: Amidst increasing infertility and demand for medically assistive reproduction measures, the government has finally started work on setting up government-run in-vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics across the state. An allocation of Rs 6 crore for four clinics was announced in the budget for 2023-2024. 

The plan for the fertility clinics was initiated in 2022 by the then health minister Dr M C Sudhakar and the Bengaluru unit was to come up on the premises of the Vani Vilas Hospital.

But now, the Bengaluru unit will be set up at the Atal Behari Vajpayee Medical College and Research Institute (ABVMCRI), previously known as Bowring and Lady Curzon Medical College and Research Institute. 

The other three clinics are slated to come up at Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubballi under CSR initiative, Mysore Medical College and Research Institute, Mysuru and Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences, Kalaburagi. 

Dr Manoj Kumar H V, director and dean of ABVMCRI, told DH, “We are calling for tenders and the unit should be set up in the next six months. Gynaecologists, urologists and other specialists will be provided by our college and hospital. We are currently calling for tenders”.

Dr Sharanprakash Patil, Minister for Medical Education, told DH, “Due to high demand, we are establishing the clinics. This does not come under Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka (AB-ArK). So, we cannot establish the units everywhere. We are yet to decide on the rates to be charged for the procedure”.

The rates are likely to be affordable and significantly cheaper than private establishments. The rates in private clinics per cycle now vary between Rs 1.2 lakh and Rs 4.5 lakh and health insurance companies do not cover IVF treatments. 

The Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Act does not have a provision to cap the rates for procedures at private hospitals.

Big jump in infertility rate 

According to gynaecologists in the city, infertility rate has gone up by at least 20 per cent to 30 per cent in the last five years. Male infertility has also seen a significant rise.