Bengaluru: With the growing demand for assisted reproductive technologies in Karnataka, the State Government has decided to establish In-vitro Fertilization (IVF) clinics across Government Medical Colleges in the State.

Medical Education Minister Dr. Sharan Prakash Patil told media persons that IVF clinics were being opened by that State Government to enable even the economically weaker section to get access to the facility.

The State Government has allocated Rs. 6 crore in 2023-24 budget for setting up IVF clinics. Initially, the clinics will be opened in Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College and Research Institute (SABVMCRI) in Bengaluru, Mysore Medical College and Research Institute (MMC&RI) in Mysuru, Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) in Hubballi and Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) in Kalaburagi and one in Mangaluru.

Currently, the IVF treatment in private clinics costs about Rs. 5 lakh which majority of the families cannot afford.

Minister Dr. Patil said that the State Government was yet to decide on the prices.

However, the move to open IVF clinics at Government Medical Colleges will be help many families as the prices are expected to be much lower than private clinics.