By-Manish Kumar
Bhubaneswar, January 31: In
the last one decade, in-vitro-fertilization (IVF) commonly referred as test
tube baby technique has flourished in the country and slowly it has been making
mark in the state capital with the opening of few private hospitals, offering
this specialized treatment to the needy. However, private clinics had always
had a monopoly in this treatment. Governments in different states have always
shown reluctance in opening their arms for this technique.
But, in the last five years, many government hospitals have
tried to include this treatment on their premises. Government hospitals like Delhi-based
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Lok Nayak Jay Prakash Narayan
Hospital (LNJP), SMS Medical College (Rajasthan)
are one of the few institutions who are offering IVF or other specialized
infertility treatments like Intra-uterine insemination (IUI) etc at a much
lower rate than private hospitals.
Family welfare director Nirmala Kumari Dei said IVF or any
other assisted reproductive techniques are yet to be introduced at the
government hospitals in the state. Moreover, this facility has also not been
started at the medical colleges in the state. Similarly, SCB Medical College
and Hospital superintendent Pratap Kumar Rath also indicated the absence of
this facility at the premier hospital. Dr Binod Kumar
Mishra, Superintendent, Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar confirmed that the
facility of in-vitro fertilization has not been started yet in their hospital
as of now.
Health professionals in the city however disagree on the inception
of these facilities at government hospitals. “Government hospitals basically
focus on public health and aim to eradicate or treat diseases of ailments which
affect the larger mass. They are their first priority. It is not a big deal for
any government hospital to invest Rs 1 crore and set up an IVF centre and
create adequate infrastructure for it.” says Dr Aditya Das, a city-based IVF
expert.
Dr Das also says that Orissa is in infancy when it comes to IVF
treatment. Although IVF has marked its presence in many other states but there
are only a few IVF centres in Bhubaneswar. It will take a good time even for
the private players to establish these facilities in the city.
However, Dr Gurmeet Kaur, another infertility expert begs to
differ. “If IVF facility is introduced in government hospitals, it will really
benefit the needy infertile couples. But how much they can monitor and regulate
them is a question to ponder over. IVF is a very specialized treatment which
includes a cycle of injections and medicines pre and post procedure. If some
key hormonal injections are not given on time citing shortage of drugs or any
other reason, the whole procedure will go in vain.”
Although the decision to start these facilities lies in the
hands of state governments, the only expected beneficiary is likely to be the
infertile couples who need this treatment. “I was unable to conceive naturally
because my husband had azospermia (no sperm count). I underwent IVF treatment
in 2007 outside the state because at that time, these techniques were hardly
available in my state. I had to pay around Rs 80,000 but it yielded no result. It
was really a bad experience as even after spending so much money I did not
conceive. Had it been a government hospital, I am sure I would had to pay
less,” says Suruchi Mohapatra.
Experts say that the whole process of in-vitro fertilization
is a complex one. One needs to have liquid nitrogen containers to keep quality
sperms at good health before being inseminated. Another hassle is in maintaining
the pre and post insemination health of the woman. A woman needs to undertake a
battery of injections and medicines to make her ready for the procedure. After
the procedure also the woman needs to take adequate medicines.
Usually the private clinics charge around Rs 60,000-1lakh
for the procedure. But the government hospitals who are providing these
facilities are giving it to the needy in a range of Rs 20,000-35,000 and there
are also a few hospitals like AIIMS which offer the procedure free of cost. SMS
Medical College provides it at an affordable rate for BPL families.
