State spends MVR 7M on IVF in two years; 23 successful cases

Statistics disclosed by the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) show that the government spent MVR 7 million on Fertility Care Trust Fund, aimed at providing financial aid for couples facing infertility, in almost two years.

According to the statistics published by NSPA on Wednesday, the government has spent MVR 7. 13 million on the fund as October this year, including MVR 4.78 million in 2024.

In this regard, these funds have been utilized to provide financial aid for 93 couples to undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment, out of which 23 couples were successfully able to conceive.

Speaking with Sun on Wednesday, NSPA’s CEO Heena Waleed said MVR 30 million was allocated as financial aid for 100 couples in the first batch of IVF treatments. However, she noted that only 93 couples had undergone the procedure so far, while the remaining couples have yet to begin treatment.

Heena explained that the costs for each couple vary, as some achieve success in the first IVF cycle, eliminating the need for subsequent cycles. She added that higher expenses are expected for couples who require a second or third cycle.

“Hence, [I] cannot say how much is incurred per couple. However, we are allocating sufficient funds for three cycles per couple,” she said.

At present, IVF treatment is available in the Maldives at Tree Top Hospital, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital and Dharumavantha Hospital.

IVF treatment is expensive, and many Maldivian couples facing infertility had to previously seek treatment abroad, due to the unavailability of the service in the Maldives. The provision of these treatments through Aasandha is among the key electrocortical pledges of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.