An expanded fertility treatment subsidy program for in-vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures has distributed NT$2.81 billion (US$91.51 million), resulting in 6,545 births since July 1, 2021, the Health Promotion Administration (HPA) said.
Eligibility for the program was expanded from July 1, 2021, allowing married couples to apply for the subsidy through 98 contracted healthcare facilities, if one member of the couple is Taiwanese citizen and the wife is younger than 45 years old.
As of Dec. 14 last year, 56,245 applications passed the eligibility review, and 39,196 completed the treatment procedures and received a combined NT$2.81 billion in subsidies, the HPA said, adding that 5,838 women gave birth to 6,545 babies through the program.
Photo courtesy of Tungs’ Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital via CNA
Among the couples who received the subsidy, the rate of single embryo transfer increased from 22.1 percent in 2021 to 52.6 percent last year, which is also a good sign given that transferring more than one is being discouraged worldwide, said Chen Li-chuan (陳麗娟), a senior specialist in the agency’s Maternal and Child Health Division.
Single embryo IVF transfer can reduce the likelihood of twins, miscarriage, premature delivery and complications associated with multiple pregnancies to the child and the mother.
Among babies born through the program, 88 percent were single births, 74 percent were full-term births (at or after 37 weeks of pregnancy) and 75 percent weighed 2.5kg or more, HPA data showed.
Age is a major factor determining whether a procedure is successful, Chen said, citing data showing that 47.7 percent of IVF procedures on women aged 35 or younger, using the couple’s own eggs and sperm, led to successful births, but the rate fell to 19.5 percent when the woman was aged 41 or 42.
The HPA said it encourages married couples who want to have children to make plans early, seek medical assistance if they have been trying to conceive for a year without success, and apply for the IVF program if suggested by a doctor and eligibility can be met.
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