Medication for In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) processes will now become free of charge as of next year, Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister, Chris Fearne, announced in Parliament.

IVF is one of several techniques available to help people with fertility problems have children, and was first introduced into Malta’s public health service in October 2015.

This allowed medical services related to IVF to be given for free. However, certain medicines relating to the process still needed to be paid by patients.

The minister said that the process of IVF costs around €15,000 for every cycle couples are involved in. The government will further help people who want to perform the IVF procedure by eliminating costs related to hormone therapy, Fearne said.

This will save couples around €3,000 in further expenses, the Minister remarked.

The minister also said that the government will continue pushing in order to improve the services related to IVF in this country.

Opposition spokesperson for Health, Stephen Spiteri, also welcomed such an introduction. This was also suggested by the PN back in April, he said.