135 apply for IVF, NSPA confirms 39 selected
The government had earlier decided to provide IVF treatment to 50 couples after receiving a high number of requests in November.
A total of 135 people applied for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment in December last year, of whom 39 were found eligible, the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) said on Thursday.
The government had earlier decided to provide IVF treatment to 50 couples after receiving a high number of requests in November.
According to NSPA, 39 eligible applicants have already been granted assistance. Those selected in the first round have been asked to submit their treatment plans before the 10th of next month.
NSPA has now opened a period for submitting complaints regarding the list of applicants selected for assistance.
The agency said complaints must be submitted through One.gov before Monday. It said a revised list will be published on the first of next month if changes are required after reviewing the complaints received by the deadline.
The Rules on the Provision of IUI and IVF Treatments through the Aasandha Scheme set out eligibility criteria and conditions for service providers. The rules also outline the circumstances under which treatment may be discontinued and the procedures for accepting applications.
Under the scheme, couples seeking IVF treatment must meet several conditions. They must have been married for at least three years and have a medical condition that prevents natural conception, or have experienced infertility for three years without an identified cause.
Applicants must have failed other fertility treatments and have a recommendation from a specialist for IVF or intrauterine insemination (IUI). The couple must not have a child and must not have undergone infertility surgery.
The wife must be at least 25 years old and under 42 years of age, and the husband must be under 55 years of age at the start of treatment. Both spouses must not have smoked for six months prior to treatment.
The rules also state that neither spouse may be serving a prison sentence of three years for a criminal offence, and that applicants must not have previously received assistance under the IVF or IUI scheme or completed three rounds of treatment.
