High cost involved in establishing and maintaining a good ART laboratory, the constant need to upgrade and adopt new technology and the use of stimulation protocols that use expensive drugs, makes ART treatment expensive.

1. Dr. Laxmi Shrikhande MD; FICOG; FICMU;FICMCH
• Medical Director-Shrikhande Fertility Clinic, Nagpur
• National Corresponding Editor-The Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology of India
• Senior Vice President FOGSI 2012
• Chairperson Designate ICOG 2020 , Vice Chairperson ICOG 2019
• National Governing Council member ICOG 2012-2017
• National Governing Council Member ISAR 2014-2019
• National Governing Council Member IAGE for 3 terms
• Patron & President -Vidarbha Chapter ISOPARB
• Chairperson-HIV/AIDS Committee, FOGSI (2007-09)
• Received Best Committee Award of FOGSI
• Received Bharat excellence Award for women’s health
• President Nagpur OB/GY Society 2005-06
• Immediate Past President Menopause Society, Nagpur
• Associate member of RCOG
• Member of European Society of Human Reproduction
• Visited 96 FOGSI Societies as invited faculty
• Delivered 11 orations and 450 guest lectures
• Publications-Twenty National & eleven International
• Received Nagpur Ratan Award at the hands of Union Minister Shri Nitinji Gadkari
• Presented Papers in FIGO, AICOG, SAFOG, AICC-RCOG conferences
• Conducted adolescent health programme for more than 15,000 adolescent girls
• Conducted health awareness programme for more than 10,000 women

2. Low Cost IVF
DR LAXMI SHRIKHANDE
NAGPUR

3. Subfertility as a global health issue
Subfertility has been overlooked as a global health issue, despite
affecting one in seven couples.
27.5 million couples in India suffer from infertility

4. Introduction
Since the first test tube baby was born in the year 1978, IVF treatment has been
developed and improved to benefit millions of people who experience
childlessness.
It is estimated that the number of IVF infants in the world has now surpassed
five million. However, there are still many people who are unable to gain access
to this form of treatment.
Reasons are many but mainly it is financial constraint
Many developed countries has a system in place whereby either The Govt bears
the full cost or partial cost
International Journal of Women’s Health August 2014

5. ART is self financed
In India ART is self financed.
Cost is a major deterrent to couples seeking infertility
treatment.
This is highlighted by the fact that three quarters of
Indian couples decline IVF treatment after first
consultation
Even in the developed world, individual couples find
it difficult to access ART facilities they have to bear
the cost

6. Suggested strategies to reduce the cost of
IVF treatment
Simplifying investigative methods
Reducing the cost of ovarian
stimulation
Simplifying procedures and
equipment in the laboratory
Minimizing the complications of
IVF

7. Summary
High cost involved in establishing and maintaining a good ART
laboratory, the constant need to upgrade and adopt new technology
and the use of stimulation protocols that use expensive drugs, makes
ART treatment expensive.
With most ART centres being in the private sector and with non-
existent insurance cover, IVF as a treatment option becomes
unaffordable for the majority

8. Dr. Laxmi Shrikhande
Shrikhande Fertility Clinic
Ph-8805577600 /8805677600
shrikhandedrlaxmi@gmail.com

9. The Art of Living
Anything that
helps you to
become
unconditionally
happy and loving
is what is called
spirituality.
H. H. Sri Sri Ravishakar