The high costs of infertility treatments in Albania, often carried out in private clinics, are a significant financial burden for couples, ranging from 4500 to 5500 Euros per IVF procedure.
Author: Ina Allkanjari
Infertility is a challenging reality for many couples today. In Albania, every year, a significant number of individuals and couples encounter this problem, looking for ways and solutions to realize their dream of having children.
Anisa, the 37-year-old from Tirana talks about the difficulties and challenges encountered on the difficult and expensive path to having children.
At the age of 35, in May 2021, Anisa began her journey with infertility. After a series of general tests and doctor's advice, she started the easy procedures like IUI (Intra-Uterine Insemination) and then the long-awaited In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) procedures. However, the results of the procedures were negative.
"These treatments were carried out in Albania, in private clinics, including the high costs of medications and procedures necessary for treatment. Based on the information received at the Women's Center (Maternity Kico Glozheni) these procedures are not performed in public hospitals", says Anisa.
Before this challenge, they have tried to seek help in specialized clinics in Turkey, following additional IVF procedures, but without a positive result.
The costs of infertility treatment are considerable in Albania. Couples facing this problem face high costs for medications, tests and various procedures, estimated at 4,500-5,500 Euros for an IVF procedure.
"Medicines are expensive and range somewhere between 150.000-200.000 ALL, plus the previous analysis of the woman and the man, plus periodic echo checks and procedures that cost 2,500 Euros. In the state, neither medicine, nor procedure, nothing is offered for these Services. If it was the opposite, it would be perfect. At most, you can do some types of maternity tests, such as transvaginal echoes."
The situation is almost the same for many other couples who face this difficult challenge. Public Services in Albania do not provide help for infertility, leaving couples in a difficult situation.
"A support from the state would be necessary," Anisa emphasizes. "Nowadays, infertility is a problem that has fallen to the masses, and we need help to overcome this great challenge. Moreover, even the insurance company does not provide any coverage for these treatment expenses.”
However, its challenge is not only financial. "My problem is inexplicable," says Anisa sadly, "because the tests have shown that my husband and I are fine, but I still haven't managed to conceive".
Until now, experts and doctors have not been able to find the exact cause of Anisa and her husband's infertility.
The odyssey of promises to achieve free In Vitro Fertilization
Infertility is not only a personal challenge, but also a social problem in Albania. Access to infertility treatment Services in public hospitals continues to be difficult.
In 2012, a project worth 25 million ALL was signed between the Albanian Government and the European Union to enable the realization of In Vitro Fertilization in state structures. This initiative aimed for citizens with health insurance to benefit from this method of assisted reproduction for free.
However, the challenges in the implementation of this program have prevented the achievement of the objectives, since the Center planned to carry out this project remained closed, never becoming functional, for reasons that are still unknown.
in Government program 2021-2025, one of the included promises turns out to be support for this category, specifically the item "We finance the fertility package for free starting in 2022".
In 2022, a total fund of 1 million ALL was reflected in the budget of the Ministry of Health, for the product called "Couples who benefit from the fertility package". However, no concrete action was taken that year, followed by the removal of this product from the list of funding in the 2023 budget.
In May 2023, the Ministry of Health announced on social networks the beginning of the implementation of new projects at the "Koço Gliozheni" Maternity Hospital for the construction and equipment of the 1st public Center for Assisted Reproduction (IVF).
The Minister of Health, Manastirliu, underlined that this center would offer for the first time in Albania the In Vitro reproduction procedure for free."
"We are working intensively on the investment in infrastructure and bio-medical equipment needed to start this new procedure in public hospitals", she emphasized.
The goal is for this assisted reproduction program to be free, with an initial projection of 100 cases per year.
According to INSTAT, the population of Albania on January 1, 2022 was 2.793.592 inhabitants, suffering a decrease of 1,3%, compared to January 1, 2021. Likewise, the birth rate has suffered a decrease of 2,8% for the year 2021, bringing the number of births to 27,284 children, compared to the previous year.
Meanwhile, according to Eurostat in 2021 Albania had the lowest fertility rate between the Western Balkans and Turkey with 1.31 children per woman. The fertility rate in the EU in 2021 was 1.53 children per woman.
These figures indicate the need for support and supportive initiatives in the field of assisted reproduction to help increase fertility rates and address infertility challenges in the country.
Infertility problems, costs and treatment
At a time when couples face the challenges of infertility, specialist doctors in the field of assisted reproduction offer important explanations and instructions for the procedures followed and the steps before In Vitro Fertilization. Doctor Marcel Haxhia, embryologist certified by the European Society of Embryology and Human Reproduction (ESHRE) and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), describes the main steps and procedures that are followed when a couple seeks help for infertility. He emphasizes that a couple who have had unprotected intercourse for about 1 year and have not had a pregnancy should be referred to an infertility specialist..
"A detailed medical history is taken from the couple. Among the examinations that are recommended for women are transvaginal ultrasound in order to evaluate the anatomy of the uterus and ovaries and hormonal analysis to determine the functionality of the ovaries. For the partner, a spermogram is recommended, through which it is determined whether we have a problem or not." explains Dr. Haxhia.
Doctor Ilta Bylykbashi, gynecologist, explains the factors of infertility emphasizing that "1/3 of infertility cases remain unexplained where the cause/factor is unknown or we have the multiple factor (many causes), 1/3 belong to the male factor, while 1/3 belong to the female factor".
"The reason for infertility can be due to problems of the woman in 40% of cases, due to problems of the man in 40% of cases, 10% of cases it is from both partners and in 10% it is unexplained", it says. Pilgrimage.
Focusing on In Vitro Fertilization, embryologist Haxhia shows that the state does not cover any costs in this procedure, as he points out that the cost of In Vitro Fertilization is approximately 5000 euros, including the procedure's medications.
"My opinion is that In Vitro Fertilization is very specific and the success rate varies from clinic to clinic all over the world. The patient should be given a certain coverage that he can use at any clinic in the country, whether private or public", says the doctor.
Doctor Bylukbashi says that during the last years a significant increase in infertility cases has been observed as a result of "older age of the mother to start a pregnancy (there are many cases > 35 years old), increase in the incidence of STDs (sexually transmitted diseases), use of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, etc., environmental and nutritional factors, increase in pathologies in younger ages such as autoimmune, diabetes, etc. as a result of the increased stress factor in recent years, etc."
Meanwhile, embryologist Haxhia emphasizes that it is estimated that 1 in 6 couples suffers from infertility. "There are several solutions and not only In Vitro Fertilization. Assisted reproduction techniques have advanced greatly and it is estimated that around 12 million babies in the world have been born from In Vitro Fertilization alone. This is a frequent disease for several reasons, the main ones being poor lifestyle and delaying the search for pregnancy by couples.".
As Anisa and dozens of other couples face the challenge of infertility, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon. The dream of parenthood may be within reach, provided the promise of free IVF procedures, as outlined in the government's 2021-2025 programme, is kept.
This article was created based on input provided by individuals who have chosen to speak up. Share your story, empower others and be an agent for change. Visit the website: www.acqj.al/sinjalizo-dhe-ti/
