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IVF Day symbolizes the IVF technique’s essence and significance in infertility treatment.

By Gaurav Jain

IVF Day symbolizes the IVF technique’s essence and significance in infertility treatment.

In the last three months, from April to June, less than 1000 patients sought IVF treatment. There has been a steep fall in the number of patients from 50,000 to 1,000 in a quarter.

24th July 2020: World IVF Day symbolizes the IVF technique’s essence and significance in infertility treatment. Only 3 out of 30 million infertile couples could pin their hopes of attaining parenthood through India’s therapy. However, in 2020, the onset of the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis followed by the lockdown has posed an even more significant challenge for 3 million infertile couples in India seeking treatment. Most of the pair had to postpone parenthood plans, and those going under treatment could not follow through with the complete procedure. A steep fall in the number of patients visiting IVF centers for treatment has been observed during this period.

Reproductive Health E-Summit’ organized by HEAL Foundation with the support of Bharat Serums & Vaccines on World IVF Day, Dr. Jayesh Amin, Clinical Director, WINGS IVF Group, Gujarat Chapter Secretary for Indian Fertility Society, (IFS), said, “Naturally, motherhood is such an experience that every woman yearns. And for conception, some women take the help of ‘Assisted Reproductive Technology’ (ART). However, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has affected plans of becoming a mother for those women who were planning or undergoing the IVF treatment’.” “Generally, the average of couples seeking IVF treatment per quarter is more than 50,000. However, the number of couples seeking treatment has gone down by over 95% during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the last three months, from April to June, less than 1000 patients sought IVF treatment. There has been a steep fall in the number of patients from 50,000 to 1,000 in a quarter,” observed Dr. Jayesh.

Infertility is no less than an epidemic for young Indians. More and more young couples are seeking infertility treatment. In India, infertility affects around 10% to 15% of married couples. Out of 30 million infertile couples in India, nearly 3 million are actively seeking treatment. The rate is even higher in the urban population, where 1 out of 6 couples have infertility and desperately look for solutions. And during the COVID-19 crisis followed by the lockdown, they have suffered a lot as IVF is a time-sensitive treatment. Every passing week is crucial for couples who expect to become parents through this procedure. The patient’s treatment schedule has been changed or postponed, due to which they have to face substantial emotional dissatisfaction and uncertainty. In such a difficult time, spreading awareness regarding various aspects of reproductive health and assuring such couples through multiple channels is desirable. “Out of 3 million people seeking infertility treatment in India every year, around 5 lakh seek In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)/Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) treatment. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, they have suffered a lot. However, we are committed to spreading awareness amongst the masses regarding reproductive health since the outbreak of COVID-19 in India. In such a situation, an event like — Reproductive Health E-Summit necessary for spreading awareness, and we support such an initiative”, said Mr. Sanjiv Navangul, Managing Director and CEO, Bharat Serums & Vaccines Limited.

The ongoing situation has resulted in a drop in the number of cases. Out of nearly 2000 IVF centers in India, less than 800 have opened up by the end of June. Dr. Swati Dongre, Infertility Specialist Gynecologist, Santa IVF Treatment & Fertility Centre, Thane West, Mumbai, conveyed to Prittle Prattle News through a press release that “Women seeking motherhood through ‘In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatment’ from remote areas postponed their plan to conceive during the lockdown because of travel restrictions. Post unlocking, the latest surge in the number of COVID-19 cases has thrown a wave of fear, compelling such women to postpone further their plan to conceive through IVF. While the situation is uniform across India, in the east, the number of couples on IVF treatment has been in single-digit for the last two months.”

Talking about the significant reduction in patients undergoing fertility treatment in the country, Dr. Sweta Gupta, Clinical Director, Fertility Solutions, Medicover Fertility, New Delhi, shared her experience to the Prittle Prattle News that, “The Pandemic has been a challenging phase for everyone including IVF treatment which categorizes as a non-essential service. With the unlocking phase, things have slowly started coming back to normal. Couples that are looking for treatment need not delay their plans anymore. Pandemic will stay with us until we either develop herd immunity or get a vaccine discovered. All IVF procedures are practice in a highly sanitized environment, and there is no need to fear about its success if you follow preventive guidelines issued by the government.”

They were adding a new feather in the cap of the ‘Health Awareness’ drive series during COVID-19; HEAL Foundation, a healthcare advocacy group, organized ‘Reproductive Health E-Summit’ with the support of Bharat Serums & Vaccines to seek experts’ advice on various topics on ‘Reproductive Health in India’ on the occasion of World IVF Day on 24th July 2020. Ten reproductive Health & IVF experts from across India participated as speakers in the summit.

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