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SINGAPORE : Couples who are trying to conceive via fertility treatments will be getting some help.
From next month, the government will co-fund half of their treatment cost in public hospitals, up to S$3,000 per cycle, for a maximum of three cycles.
39-year-old Parimala Devi and her husband have been trying to conceive for more than a year when she decided to try IVF (in vitro fertilisation). However, after two tries, there's still no good news.
Having spent more than S$15,000, which is not inclusive of the amount withdrawn from her Medisave, she is happy that there is now more help for her to try again.
"I'm very happy. At least it's better than nothing, and I really appreciate it," said Parimala.
Currently, couples can use up to S$6,000 of their Medisave for the first fertility treatment, S$5,000 for the second and S$4,000 for the third cycle.
With the government's co-funding of up to S$3,000, the use of Medisave will further reduce the cash payment needed for fertility treatments, which cost at least S$10,000.
But to qualify, the couple must be Singaporeans. On top of that, the woman must be 40 years or below and the couple must have no more than one child.
The cut-off age at 40 is to ensure a higher rate of success. Medical evidence has shown that women above the age of 40 has only a 9 per cent chance of success, compared to 34 per cent for those below 30.
It is hoped that by giving incentives to younger women to come forward, this will increase their chances of having a baby.
According to the Ministry of Health, those aged 35 to 40 have a 22 per cent chance, while those aged between 30 and 34 have a 33 per cent chance. Those below 30 have a success rate of 34 per cent. This is also why the government has decided to implement this measure right away.
"The parting message remains the same, which is go ahead and do it, don't wait, especially with the marriage age now being later. Once you cross a certain age group, it becomes very difficult to conceive, even with (the help of) technology," said Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan.
Given that, a fertility expert said the government could have pushed the envelope further.
"The cost of the first IVF cycle, they've already given S$6,000, so maybe they could move it all the way to cover the total cost of the first cycle at least. And thereafter, it can go down again for the second and third tries, because when you are younger and hopefully (with) more eggs, you have a higher chance of actually succeeding," said Dr Ann Tan, an obstetrician and gynaecologist at Mount Elizabeth Hospital.
In 2006, test-tube babies accounted for some 400 births or about 1.3 per cent of a total of 36,272 births that year.
But other countries have had good results. Denmark, for instance, has seen babies conceived from assisted methods, contributing to 7 per cent of its total births.
Hopefully the new initiatives will yield better results for Singapore. - CNA /ls
What more can be done to get Singaporeans pro-creating? Give us your views at www.channelnewsasia.com/maybebaby.
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