Gynaecologists and ART Experts to Discuss ways to tackle India’s infertility Epidemic at the ‘India IVF Summit’ by IHW Council

●      The summit will be hosted virtually on World IVF Day (July 25) supported by Bharat Serums and Vaccines Ltd. (BSVL).

●      Experts will discuss how the infertility is affecting nearly 30 million couples in India and separate facts from fiction related to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) during the pandemic.

●      Key speakers include eminent IVF experts, policymakers and legal experts from across India.

●      The pandemic and the fear of being infected by the COVID-19 virus have dealt a big blow to the infertility treatment globally as well as in India, dashing hopes of many parents. 

New Delhi, July 24, 2020: This World IVF Day, leading gynaecologists and infertility specialists of India will converge virtually at the ‘India IVF Summit’ held by Integrated Health and Wellbeing (IHW) Council on 25^th July 2020 to discuss how infertility, the new epidemic amongst young Indians, is affecting couples and to separate facts from fiction related to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) during the pandemic. The day-long summit is supported by Bharat Serums and Vaccines Ltd. (BSVL). 

The event will stream live on the IHW Council’s Facebook page from 11 AM to 5 PM on Saturday. 5,000-8,000 people are expected to watch panellists discuss the medical and technical aspects of IVF facility, parenthood as a human right, the policy framework for it  and why overpromises can be detrimental to IVF treatment. 

Eminent IVF expert Dr Hrishikesh Pai, Medical Director, Bloom IVF, Mumbai, Dr. Jaideep Malhotra, Immediate Past President, Indian Society of Assisted Reproduction (ISAR) and Director, Rainbow IVF, Dr. Rohit Gutgutia, Medical Director, Eastern India, Nova IVF Fertility, and Mr. Sanjiv Navangul, Managing Director and CEO, Bharat Serums and Vaccines Ltd. (BSVL), among others, will attend the summit that will be available on IHW Council’s YouTube page as well. 

“IVF treatment has taken a beating due to the fear of infection and in the process may have ended the last chance for many couples trying to become pregnant.  About 20%  couples, with very low sperm count, or very low ovarian reserve especially with age > 37 years will run out of their time by end of the year says Dr Hrishikesh Pai, Medical Director of Bloom IVF, Mumbai. 

The pandemic and the fear of being infected by the COVID-19 virus has dealt a big blow to the infertility treatment globally as well as in India, dashing the last hope to have a baby for many. Change in lifestyle, socio-economic standing, and rising pollution levels have pushed infertility to epic proportions in India, affecting almost 27.5 million couples. 

“In its spread and reasons, infertility resembles non-communicable diseases and there is an urgent need to address the needs of the people. While awareness around an improved lifestyle and policy interventions to restore a better environment are important, the need right now is to provide treatment and remedial measures to those who are seeking to become parents. We recognise the need for both men and women requiring medical intervention to attain the unique joy of becoming parents and have been assisting the practitioners to serve them better,” says Mr. Sanjiv Navangul, Managing Director and CEO, Bharat Serums and Vaccines Ltd. (BSVL). 

IHW Council, a premier think tank that advocates a healthy world through multilateral stakeholder engagement has been at the forefront of advocating health for all, and has been ensuring that authentic and relevant health support and guidance continue to reach people during the ongoing pandemic.  

Mr. Kamal Narayan, CEO, IHW Council says, “Infertility affects about 15 per cent of all married couples who are trying to become parents. These people not only battle a medical condition but also face social stigma and tremendous stress of trying or waiting to conceive which increases the trauma associated with disappointing outcomes such as conception failure. With the pandemic restricting access to IVF treatment centres, these couples are in a difficult situation, while only time can tell how many missed the bus forever. At the same time, it is important to discuss the scientifically-verified aspects in IVF to separate fact from fiction and set realistic expectations from this medical marvel.”