37 applicants approved for IVF support after review
The agency said two applicants who had previously been listed as eligible were removed from the final list.
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The National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) said on Monday that 37 applicants have been confirmed as eligible for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment assistance following a review of applications submitted in December.
A total of 135 applications for IVF treatment were received in November. The provisional list of eligible applicants was published on 21 of last month.
Following a review process, the NSPA released a final list of eligible beneficiaries on Monday. The agency said two applicants who had previously been listed as eligible were removed from the final list.
The NSPA said that 37 individuals are currently eligible for assistance under the scheme. Information on the allocation of treatment plans will be provided before 11 of this month. The agency said further information can be obtained through its hotline or email service.
The eligibility criteria are set out in the Rules on the Provision of IUI and IVF Treatments through the Aasandha Scheme, which outline the conditions for beneficiaries and service providers. The rules also specify circumstances under which treatment may be discontinued and the process for accepting applications.
Under the rules, couples seeking IVF assistance must have been married for at least three years and must have a medical condition that prevents natural conception, or have experienced infertility for three years without an identified cause. Applicants must also have undergone other fertility treatments that were unsuccessful, with a specialist recommending IVF or IUI as the appropriate option.
The criteria further require that the couple must not have children and must not have undergone infertility-related surgery. At the start of treatment, the wife must be aged between 25 and under 42 years, and the husband must be under 55 years of age.
Applicants must not have smoked for at least six months prior to the initiation of treatment. Neither spouse may be serving a prison sentence of three years or more for a criminal offence. The rules also state that applicants must not have previously received assistance under the IVF or IUI scheme or completed three treatment cycles.
