12 July 2004

Common Sense Prevails With IVF Funding

New Zealand First health spokesperson Barbara Stewart has applauded the announcement that the Government is to increase funds for in vitro fertilisation and provide a second cycle to people who meet certain criteria.

“Single embryo transfer is also to become standard practice in most cases,” said Mrs Stewart.

“New Zealand First had previously called for the Government to revise its funding policy for fertility treatment as a matter of urgency.

“It has been obvious for some time that the practice of funding one IVF cycle with the implantation of multiple embryos in order to maximise the chances of success was actually increasing the likelihood of adverse results as many multiple births are premature.

“Care for premature babies is costly and intensive but in the case of IVF births the implantation of a single embryo makes it less likely that complications will occur.

“It seems that common sense has finally prevailed and the Health Ministry has realised that if the Government funds two cycles of IVF with single embryo transfer the end result is more likely to be healthy children, which is the outcome that all parents want,” said Mrs Stewart.

ENDS

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