Karnataka govt introduces IVF under Ayushman scheme now

DAVANAGERE/CHITRADURGA: The Karnataka Administration has brought Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) procedures, including in vitro fertilisation (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and frozen embryo transfer (FET), under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana-Chief Minister's Arogya Karnataka (AB-PMJAY-CM's ArK) scheme.

What happened

Notably, the benefit will initially be available to 120 Priority Household (PHH) cardholders and Below Poverty Line (BPL) card holders on a pilot basis for one year, according to Health and Family Welfare Minister UT Khader's reply to a starred question posed by MLC Dr Dhananjay Sarji in the Legislative Council.

In practice, the move is aimed at enabling economically weaker families to access fertility treatment. It can otherwise involve substantial out-of-pocket expenditure.

Notably, the order notes that infertility can cause social and emotional distress and that treatment remains unaffordable for plenty of families. Recognising that ART treatment is expensive and remains beyond the reach of plenty of couples, the Administration has decided to implement the scheme in Karnataka.

The bottom line

Taken together, the developments around karnataka govt introduces IVF under Ayushman scheme now point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.