IVF treatments are now more freely available in Hungary

IVF, known as in vitro fertilization, is a tried and tested technique used all over the world to help those who cannot have a baby via natural methods. For women who suffer from conditions such as polycystic ovaries, IVF is sometimes the only way they can conceive a child. Here we take a deeper look into the wonders of IVF and why Hungary has decided to make IVF more freely available for the general population.

Hungary to Change Its Ways

In January 2020, the Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orbán, stated that IVF will be more freely available to the people. This means that IVF in any state-run health clinic will now be free, whereas before couples and women would have to pay private clinics to get access to IVF treatment in order to start their own family. This change has come as a noticeable state of demographic decline has occurred over the last forty years.

Orbán believes fertility is of “strategic importance”.

Official data shows that a reduced number of children are born within central Europe year on year. This is partly due to the fact that more Hungarians are emigrating to western Europe. Orbán is right-wing and has a strong belief that the Hungarian people should choose procreation rather than immigration. Orbán has now taken over six fertility clinics under the state and free treatment is expected to commence as of February 2020.

The new drive is hoping to help over 4,000 women have a child by 2022.

Despite this, there are no clear rules and regulations regarding who is entitled to the IVF treatment as of yet. Starting as of February, women with four children will not be entitled to free IVF treatment.

Hungary Looking to Boost Their Population

Orbán is hoping to reduce the number of Hungarian couples that emigrate to other countries and allow more Hungarian children to be born in Hungary. For couples that do move away for IVF treatment, this will come as a huge help. Orbán has also advised against private firms attempting to invest in IVF private clinics as their “permits will not be accepted.”

Orban would much rather provide free IVF treatment than look at immigration as a way to boost the population.

Katalin Novák, who holds the post of Hungarian state secretary for youth and family affairs, stated that there are 150,000 Hungarian couples who are unable to conceive due to a myriad of health reasons. With free IVF treatment, 150,000 Hungarian couples will be able to have their chance of happiness.

If the Prime Minister doesn’t act, Hungary’s population is set to drop by 1.5 million by 2050.

Hungary, just like many of the other Eastern and Central European countries, has noticed a mass decline in population over the years. In 2017, Hungary was officially ranked within the bottom 10% of countries for both fertility rates and for global birth. Since Orbán’s time in office in 2010, he has allowed Hungary to have “some of the strictest anti-immigration policies in the whole of Europe.”