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A study published in the Malta Medical Journal shows that the unregulated and completely privatised administration of infertility treatment has led to an increase in the birth of triplets and quadruplets, a greater health risk to newborns.
The article, “Higher order multiple pregnancy outcomes in the Maltese islands 2000-2004”, published last March, is a wake-up call for action in a field which successive governments have left unregulated.
Reproductive technology, which includes the use of fertility pills and in vitro fertilisation, only accounts for 0.7% of single births. But the same methods were used in 28% of cases involving triplets and 50% of cases involving quadruplets.
The birth of triplets and quadruplets is considered by the medical profession as more prone to health risks due to the greater likelihood that these children will be born prematurely.
Charles Savona Ventura an associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and one of the authors of the study believes that the state should start offering infertility treatments in the national health scheme.
One reason for state intervention in this sector is affordability.
“The problem I see is that hi-tech management of infertility in Malta is only available to those who can pay or are ready to make tremendous sacrifices to pay the costs of treatment.”
Savona Ventura is concerned by the psychological impact on these parents.
“Infertile couples are so desperate that they are ready to undertake extreme sacrifices to try and achieve a pregnancy. This can result in further stresses in their relationships.”
One justification for a national programme to assist infertile couples is to “enable the low-moderate income groups to avail themselves of hi-tech options when necessary.”
Surely prices are high because both medicines and equipment are expensive.
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