GMC Goa to provide free IVF treatment from September 1

Panaji: In first, an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) Centre have been launched at the Goa Medical College Hospital (GMCH), Bambolim where patients could now avail of free treatment from September 1. 

Chief minister Pramod Sawant inaugurated the assisted reproductive technology (ART) and intrauterine insemination (IUI)/IVF centre at the super-speciality block of the Bambolim Goa Medical College Hospital (GMCH). Over 100 patients have so far registered for the treatment. 

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Calling it a milestone in healthcare, Sawant said, "Recognising the need for specialised care, we have established a streamlined process." He added, "Infertility patients will be referred from the obstetrics and gynaecology OPD to the ART centre, ensuring a seamless transition from diagnosis to proper workup, counseling, and treatment. This comprehensive approach will ensure that every patient receives personalised attention and the best possible care." 

The centre would start functioning from September 1. The place has always attended to the needs of multiple patients every year, he said. Every year, the place witnesses 19,000 OPD patients and 4,300 deliveries, reports the TOI. 

Sawant noted, "Today, we take this a step further by addressing the needs of another segment of our population — infertility patients." 

Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said that the patients have to incur heavy expenses worth Rs 5-9 lakhs when they go out of the state for their treatment. Rane said, "This is the first hospital in the country that is going to have IVF treatment free of charge. No money will be charged for patients, and money will come through CSR."

Rane said Rs 2 crore acquired through CSR funding was used to procure equipment and pledged to provide top-notch services..He said that the prominent Goan IVF expert Dr Kedar Padte has been called to manage the centre, as per a media report in the Free Press Journal. 

After the inauguration, the CM announced that the state would be reviewing the salaries of post-graduate nurses.

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