Fertility treatment in India
Country profile

Fertility treatment in India

India is one of the most affordable destinations for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and other infertility treatments anywhere in the world. Some fertility clinics here have been established for 30 years and the country has over 500 individual infertility treatment centres. Treatments and services are not governed by statutes. However, strict guidelines are in place and are generally adhered to, so the number of embryos that can be transferred and the level of laboratory manipulation of embryos allowed is well controlled.

Look out for fertility clinics that are registered by the ISAR – the Indian Society for Assisted Reproduction, JCI accredited and ISO certified. Some clinics are also part of the ESHRE PGD Consortium, which provides additional guidelines for pre-implantation genetic diagnosis. This is allowed and practiced in India when there is a medical need; sex selection is only allowed when there is a risk that a child will inherit a disorder that is passed on through genes on the X chromosome.

India allows sperm, egg and embryo donation:

Use of donated sperm in non-IVF fertility treatments is not allowed, however.

Egg donors must be aged between 18 and 35 and should be healthy:

All potential egg donors are screened for infection, sexually transmitted diseases and genetic conditions.

Sperm donor screening is extensive and the country has several sperm banks.

ISCI

Allowed

Pre implementation generic digonisis

Allowed, including for gender selection but only for cases involving sex-linked disorders

Micromanipulation

Allowed

Assisted hatching

Allowed

IVF surrogacy

Allowed

Average prices for IVF in India

Costs for treatments vary with individual clinics; the following is a rough guide based on prices quoted in January 2012.

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The healthcare system in India

India has one of the largest and fastest growing private health sectors in the world. Its private hospitals are modern with all of the latest technology and facilities and the hundreds of private fertility clinics in the country are no exception. India also has some of the most relaxed regulations on fertility treatment and has been attracting medical tourists for many years. Surrogacy is possible here, as is pre-implantation diagnosis for genetic diseases.

The cost of fertility treatments in India may less than half what is charged by clinics in the USA or the UK, but the standards are very high, and success rates are good. The Indian government is keen to promote medical tourism, for infertility treatment and the standard private healthcare specialties, but also for major surgery and cardiovascular medicine. To make things easier, it is now possible to obtain a medical visa specifically aimed at people wanting to visit the country to access their healthcare. 

Many of the fertility clinics in India are accredited by the JCI (Joint Commission International) and also hold ISO 9001 accreditation, as well as being a member of one of the Indian learned societies relevant to gynaecology and obstetrics. All doctors who practice in India must register with the Medical Council of India and are also members of the Indian Medical Association.  

About India

India is a huge and populous Asian country that features a tropical coastal region, arid deserts and some of the highest mountains in the world. Over a billion people live in India and some of its 28 regions still have the highest birth rates, with 100 000 births every month in one part of Utter Pradesh alone. Some parts of the country experience significant poverty and high rates of infant mortality, which is an uncomfortable contrast to the high-class facilities provided by its private hospitals and fertility clinics, which mainly target the foreign market.

These areas of great deprivation are also the sites of some of the most beautiful and memorable historical sites – Utter Pradesh is the location of the Taj Mahal, which is in Agra. This world-famous monument has been the backdrop of many famous photographs, including the one of Princess Diana in the early 1990s.

If you are visiting India for fertility treatments, you will need to stay relatively close to your chosen clinic to be able to attend regular checks and treatments. Most clinics are within major cities and these will have many opportunities to experience the culture and see some of the sights.

The capital, Delhi, is a huge city that has grown up along the Yamuna River; the city is vibrant and bustling with fine architecture, gardens and Mughal landmarks interspersed with modern industry and a sprawling conurbation. Medical tourism agencies that know the clinics in Delhi and other India cities will be able to help you with accommodation and can give specific information on places to visit when you have free time.

Food is definitely something to think about if you travel to India. The prospect of having an upset stomach is something that you don’t want if you are having medical treatments but, generally, following a few simple rules will ensure you stay healthy. Indian food is generally delicious but, like all food that is served in unfamiliar countries, searing hot food is best. Avoid salads and raw fruit and only drink bottled water with no ice.

India has a strong culture, strong spiritual beliefs and its own view on life. It produces more tea than anywhere else in the world (even China) but is also a major source of pharmaceuticals. English is widely spoken, particularly in private health centres, but there are also 18 different official languages, the main one being Hindi. Learning a few phrases in Hindi is not a bad idea. The Rupee is the Indian currency and it is also wise to check the current exchange rate before you travel.