Max age limit for IVF set at 42
IVF treatment was introduced in the Maldives at Tree Top Hospital late last month.
By
Aminath Shifleen
The government has set a maximum age limit of 42 years for IVF treatment in the Maldives.
IVF treatment was introduced in the Maldives at Tree Top Hospital late last month. With this, many people's hopes about the service, which was not available in the country earlier, have been linked. Being a completely new part of the healthcare system, the government has formulated and prepared a national policy for it.
According to the guidelines issued by the health ministry, titled National Standard for Assisted Reproductive Technology, the criteria to be looked into before administering IVF are:
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Women under the age of 40 trying to have a child for a year without using contraceptives
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Or having completed 12 cycles of artificial insemination (at least six cycles should be for intrauterine insemination)
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For such persons, whether including or not including ICSI, three rounds of IVF can be allowed
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If the patient attains the age of 40 years during treatment, the current cycle can continue but a new cycle cannot be started
There is a difference in the procedures prescribed for women over the age of 40 to undergo IVF. Women in the age group of 40-42 years also have had tried for two years.
Subsequently, whether ICSI is included or not, one round of IVF is allowed with three additional conditions:
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No previous IVF treatment had been administered
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Lack of low ovarian reserves
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Additional health reasons that encourage IVF or encourage pregnancy
When older people undergo IVF and have children, they are more likely to develop various health problems. However, irrespective of age, IVF is a common practice in healthcare. Some local women above the age of 45 also underwent IVF and had children.
