IVF Centres Dotting Kerala Towns Rekindle Parenthood Dreams

As science comes to the help of issueless couples, reviving their dreams of parenthood, assisted reproduction centres are fast becoming ‘avenues of hope’ drawing thousands of deprived couples. Here, we take a close look at the Kerala scenario and some prominent facilities in the field

- Deepu Aby Varghese

One in every four couples in developing countries suffers from infertility and it has been the case for over two decades now, according to studies. And, infertility is a rather agonising phase in the life of childless couples. Offering a remedy to it, in vitro fertilization (IVF) or Assisted Reproduction Technology (ART) and other treatment methods for infertility have been there in India for well over 20 years now.

But it was only in recent years that such scientific methods of assisted reproduction, which remained largely overlooked for many years, gained prominence as alternative treatment options. The reasons why they had been ignored were many. They range from conservative beliefs about child conception to ignorance about treatment protocols to doubt about the cost involved.

In the modern age, due to tremendous career pressure, unhealthy food habits, particular lifestyles upsetting the rhythm of life and other unknown reasons, the number of young couples who could produce their offspring in the natural way has come down and hence, many of them started opting for assisted reproductive methods for conceiving. And, Kerala was no different in this aspect compared to the other parts of the country. It is not infertility alone that is causing a spurt in the number of people who prefer IVF treatment. Couples are looking at it as a safer option than going for natural conception. And what is more, they are even willing to meet the expenses involved as most of them feel that this is a trust-worthy conception method.

In Kerala, IVF and infertility centres are currently undergoing a period of boom. Organisations like Indian Society for Assisted Reproduction (ISAR), a collective of doctors specialising in infertility treatment, have become the face of the specialty in India.