The Importance of Public IVF in Kashmir: A Call for Action
Written by Dr Fiaz Maqbool Fazili
The issue of infertility has become a pressing public health concern in Jammu and Kashmir, impacting lives, relationships, and mental well-being. Despite the profound social and emotional implications of infertility in a society where parenthood carries significant cultural significance, the lack of government-run IVF or assisted reproductive technology centers in the region is a glaring policy failure.
Statistics from the National Family Health Survey reveal a low total fertility rate in Jammu and Kashmir, indicating a substantial number of couples struggling with infertility. Various factors such as delayed marriages, environmental influences, untreated infections, and lifestyle habits contribute to the high prevalence of infertility in the region.
While private fertility clinics have proliferated in both the valley and Jammu, their services come at a steep cost, making them inaccessible to many families with modest incomes. The financial burden of fertility treatments, particularly IVF cycles, can be crippling, often leading to incomplete treatment due to financial constraints.
Despite the robust public healthcare infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, the absence of government-run IVF units is a stark contrast. The need for accessible and affordable infertility care has been recognized by leaders from various sectors, emphasizing the importance of public intervention in addressing this healthcare gap.
Implementing public IVF units in major government hospitals could not only make fertility treatments more affordable and equitable but also ensure ethical standards, transparent pricing, and comprehensive reproductive healthcare services. It is essential to acknowledge infertility as a medical condition that warrants structured care and support, rather than attributing it to mere misfortune.
By establishing government-operated IVF centers, Jammu and Kashmir can address the unmet needs of couples struggling with infertility, alleviate the financial burden associated with private treatments, and promote reproductive health as an integral part of public healthcare services.
It is time for policymakers to prioritize the establishment of public IVF units as a crucial step towards providing inclusive and compassionate healthcare services to all residents of Jammu and Kashmir. Infertility should not be a barrier to building families, and affordable access to fertility treatments is a fundamental right that must be upheld.
- The author, Dr Fiaz Maqbool Fazili, is a senior consultant surgeon based in Srinagar and a passionate advocate for equitable healthcare access and medical ethics. For further inquiries, he can be contacted at [email protected].
