The Crushing Cost of IVF in India

The average out-of-pocket expenditure for an in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycle in India is financially devastating for most families-approximately Rs 2.3 lakh in private hospitals and Rs 1.1 lakh in public hospitals.

The financial Burden of IVF

A staggering 89 percent of individuals undergoing IVF – a medical procedure to help people have a baby by combining eggs and sperm in a laboratory – are pushed into catastrophic medical spending. This is defined as treatment costs exceeding 10 percent of a household’s annual income.

These findings-India’s first empirical evidence on the financial burden of infertility treatment-come from a government-commissioned report led by the Indian Council of Medical research-National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health (ICMR-NIRRCH).

The report, commissioned by the Department of health Research under the Union Health Ministry, reveals the significant economic shock associated with IVF, a procedure most couples must attempt at least three times before achieving pregnancy.

Prevalence of Infertility and IVF Use

The report, seen by India Today, cites World Health Institution (WHO) estimates indicating that primary infertility affects 4-17 percent of indian couples.Approximately 8 percent of these couples require advanced assisted reproductive technologies like IVF.

The IVF Process and its Costs

The procedure involves multiple complex steps-from ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval to fertilisation, embryo transfer, and close monitoring-making it a considerable financial undertaking.

Key Takeaways

• IVF costs in India are extremely high, averaging Rs 2.3 lakh in private hospitals.
• Nearly 90% of IVF patients face catastrophic medical spending.
• 4-17% of Indian couples experience primary infertility, with 8% needing ART like IVF.
• The IVF process is complex and frequently enough requires multiple cycles for success.