Poland is at the top of the list, and it's something to be proud of. We are at the forefront of infertility treatment in Europe. As doctors say, “from the Middle Ages we have jumped to the modern world.” All thanks to state compensation in vitro.
From the end of Europe, Poland joined the ranks of countries with the best access to infertility treatment. – This is turning the situation upside down, – emphasizes prof. Rafal Kurzawa, president of the Polish Society of Reproductive Medicine and Embryology. – We jumped in the rating, but we also jumped from the Dark Ages to the modern world, modern medicine, – added prof. Michal Radwan from Gameta infertility treatment clinic.
Three years ago, Poland was in a terrible place, third from the bottom. In the latest European ranking of the availability of infertility treatment, Poland moved up to 22 places. It stood out in yellow and was placed next to countries like Norway and Great Britain.
– It is interesting that we are a completely unique model, for example for Germany, – notes prof. Rafal Kurzawa.
Access to Infertility Treatment in Poland Atlas of Fertility Treatment Policy in Europe
What influenced the position of Poland?
We were a disastrous example of the government of Law and Justice, at the forefront of modern medicine, eliminating in vitro reimbursement.
– It was a shame for Poland that we are a country that does not care about the birth of children in Poland, – explains Joanna Sheering-Wielgus, a member of parliament of the new left, vice-president of the European Forum on Sex and Sexuality. Reproductive rights.
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From June until today, almost seven thousand children were born, that is, since then, with the decision of the Seym, the state finances infertility treatment for its citizens in the new period. – These are very expensive, highly specialized and innovative processes. Few couples can afford such a procedure – emphasizes Izabela Leshchina, Minister of Health and representative of the Civil Alliance.
Poland's good position in the latest ranking is due to state compensation, which is clearly assessed by both patient organizations and experts. – The best compensation program in Europe and one of the best in the world – says prof. Michael Radwan.
The success of the government's in vitro program. “The interest is great” Katarzyna Chuprinska-Chabros/Fakti po Poludniu TVN24
Great interest in the program
Poland collected for public funding, good rules and because they were created together with experts and society. – It is very affordable, very comprehensive and can be used by almost anyone who needs in vitro treatment – explains Marta Gorna from the Association for Infertility Treatment and Adoption Support “Nas Bochian”.
So far, more than 20,000 couples have been matched for it. – After the program comes into effect, the interest will increase very much, – emphasizes prof. Michael Radwan.
They come to clinics where they have not been before. – Those couples who were especially marginalized at that time, young women and young men who did not have a good financial situation at the beginning of their professional career, – prof. Rafal Kurzawa.
SEE ALSO: How do Poles rate the government's IVF program? Survey for TVN and TVN24 “Fakti”
A little more work is needed for Poland to appear in the next ranking in green style. These rules apply to embryo donation and access to treatment for same-sex couples and single women. – At the moment, it's not that they don't have compensation, they don't have rights – notes Anita Fincham from the European Birth Association.
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