Couples with Infertility to Receive State-Guaranteed Free and Subsidized Treatment Starting September 9

Couples with infertility, meeting specific requirements, will be able to receive state-guaranteed free and subsidized treatment starting September 9. This was reported by Armenpress.

In an interview with Armenpress, Gayane Avagyan, head of the Maternal and Reproductive Health Department of the Ministry of Health of Armenia, outlined the details of the program: "The infertility rate in Armenia is high at 14.8 percent, of which 4.3 percent is primary and 10.6 percent is secondary. The World Health Organization states that if a country has an infertility rate of 15 percent or higher, it is considered a crisis level, as it affects birth rates. Based on this, we prioritized this program, and fortunately, the government allowed us to implement it for the first time."

Under the state-guaranteed free and subsidized infertility treatment and overcoming program, the following types of medical assistance will be provided: investigation and treatment of infertility causes, mandatory examinations, artificial insemination with husband’s or donor sperm up to 6 attempts, one attempt of in vitro fertilization, and additional embryo transfers to the uterine cavity will also be free if extra embryos are obtained. If the married couple wants a second attempt, the state can reimburse 50 percent of the cost," Avagyan explained.

Any couple can benefit from all types of treatment if there is a medical indication. However, the state does not reimburse the costs for surrogate mothers, donor egg cells, and donor sperm; these are to be covered by the beneficiaries themselves.

To become a beneficiary of this program, an individual must belong to a specific category: either the husband or wife must be a military serviceman or a person equated with a serviceman, parents of a son killed during military actions or due to related reasons, families included in the social security system with a score of 30.01 or more, couples with disabilities one of whom is receiving social support in border communities. According to Avagyan, only childless couples with two or more years of infertility can benefit from the program.

At the same time, couples must also meet additional requirements: at least one spouse must be a citizen of the Republic of Armenia, and the marriage must be legally registered. The woman must be aged 20-35 (inclusive) — an exception is made only for the parents of sons killed during military service or due to related reasons, for whom the woman’s age can be up to 42 years. Moreover, if a woman applies and is registered as a beneficiary at age 35, she will retain her beneficiary status until she turns 38.

Avagyan explained the reasoning behind the age restriction: "The age of 20-35 was chosen because after 35, the fertility index sharply declines. The state cannot incur costs knowing that the results will be minimal," she noted.

To become a beneficiary of the program, the individual must choose one of the five organizations providing reproductive technologies operating in Yerevan: Shengavit, Astghik Medical Centers, Fertility Center, Mother and Child Health Protection Center (Margaryan Maternity Hospital), and the Republican Institute of Reproductive Health, Perinatology, Obstetrics and Gynecology. They must apply to these organizations and submit the required documents. Committees have already been established in these five medical institutions to handle the applications.

Applicants need to submit an application, the passports of both the wife and husband, the marriage certificate, and documentation confirming their status. Avagyan assured that after the application is received, there will be a registration in a general electronic system, ensuring that everyone gets a turn without subjective factors. The choice of physician working in those centers is also free.

Avagyan reminded that the state can only reimburse costs associated with the infertility reproductive assistance technology process. The state cannot cover the costs for donor egg cells or surrogate mothers.

The program went into effect on September 7, but since that day falls on a Saturday, it will be operational from Monday, September 9.

A budget of 210 million drams has been allocated for the implementation of the program. It is still difficult to determine how much will be spent on each beneficiary. "Approximately 300 beneficiaries can be involved. We hope that our budget will increase next year, and we will expand the list of beneficiaries," Avagyan stated.

The funds will be distributed among the established institutions based on their performance. According to the head of the department, the government greatly values increasing birth rates influenced by health factors. "This is a serious potential. We must help those who want to have a child but are unable to. It would certainly be ideal to assist all couples with infertility, but financial resources are limited," Avagyan concluded.