The government has expanded its investment in reproductive health, announcing new financial assistance for citizens pursuing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI). The programme, administered through the Fertility Care Trust Fund and overseen by the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA), has opened a new application window for couples seeking treatment.
Officials said aid in this round will be extended to 50 married couples, chosen under a points‑based system designed to prioritise those most in need. Applications must be submitted online via the OneGov portal by 20 December.
Strict regulations govern access to the Fertility Fund. Couples must have been married for at least three years and must demonstrate a natural cause preventing conception. Applicants are also required to provide medical confirmation that IVF or IUI is the most appropriate course of treatment, following the failure of other fertility interventions.
The government’s investment in fertility care has already produced measurable results. Last year, the Fertility Care Trust Fund disbursed USD 310,246.43 exclusively for IVF procedures. By October of this year, the fund had distributed USD 462,389.64, supporting 93 couples in accessing treatment. Data from the NSPA shows that 23 of those couples or individuals achieved successful IVF outcomes.
Officials noted that financial aid is only one part of a broader strategy. Plans are underway to construct a new hospital in phase II of Hulhumalé, designed to provide advanced IVF and IUI services.
The facility is being developed to specialise in gynaecological and paediatric disorders. Once operational, it will deliver a comprehensive range of services, including maternal care, family planning, specialised treatment for premature infants, paediatric care, and screening for breast and cervical cancers. Fertility services, including IVF and IUI, will form a central part of its offerings. Design work for the hospital is currently in progress.