Cabinet expands subsidies for infertility treatment

The Cyprus Cabinet has greenlit an amended plan that significantly enhances subsidies for infertility treatment, Health Minister Michael Damianos announced Tuesday.

The revised plan, approved following a Cabinet meeting, introduces several key changes aimed at broadening access and support for individuals struggling with infertility.

Among the pivotal adjustments, Damianos highlighted an extension in subsidies and the redefinition of age limits pertaining to a woman's natural reproductive capacity. The maximum age threshold for such procedures has been raised from 50 to 53 years.

"Including these amendments, the plan now extends the right to undergo surrogacy procedures to single women facing serious and specific medical challenges that prevent conception," Damianos clarified. He noted that this expansion would require approval from the Council for Medically Assisted Reproduction.

Furthermore, the requirement for single women to seek council approval for assisted reproduction methods, excluding surrogacy, has been abolished under the amended plan.

Financially, the plan elevates the subsidy for initial treatment cycles involving ovulation, artificial insemination, and embryo transfer to €4,500, up from the previous €3,500. Similarly, subsidies for the second treatment cycle have been increased to €3,500 from €2,500.

Additionally, the amended plan introduces a new subsidy of up to €2,000 for women undergoing treatment via egg cryopreservation, covering costs associated with artificial insemination and embryo transfer. Previously, a €500 subsidy was exclusively allocated for embryo transfer.

In terms of process, Damianos indicated that the application window for subsidies has been extended to four months, up from the previous three months, emphasizing that all applications must be substantiated with appropriate evidence.

"These adjustments reflect the core improvements within the amended plan," Damianos affirmed, responding to queries from journalists. He emphasized that the implementation process would commence immediately.

The amendments aim to alleviate financial burdens and enhance accessibility to fertility treatments across Cyprus, catering to diverse reproductive health needs.