Bengaluru | In a landmark healthcare move, the Karnataka government has announced the establishment of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics in government hospitals to meet the growing demand for fertility treatment and make assisted reproductive technology (ART) more affordable. An allocation of ₹6 crore has been made in the 2023–24 state budget to set up four IVF clinics.
Originally proposed in 2022 by former Health Minister Dr. M.C. Sudhakar, this initiative marks the first introduction of IVF services in Karnataka’s public healthcare system.
The IVF clinic in Bengaluru, initially planned at Vani Vilas Hospital, will now be located at the Atal Behari Vajpayee Medical College and Research Institute (ABVMCRI). Dr. Manoj Kumar H V, the director and dean of ABVMCRI, confirmed that tenders are being called and the unit is expected to be functional within six months. The centre will be manned by gynaecologists, urologists, and specialists from the college and its affiliated hospital.
The other three IVF clinics will be set up at:
- Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Hubballi – under a CSR initiative
- Mysore Medical College and Research Institute, Mysuru
- Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences, Kalaburagi
Medical Education Minister Dr. Sharanprakash Patil stated that while the clinics will help address the increasing demand, they will not be covered under the Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka (AB-ArK) scheme. Pricing structures for these services are still being finalised.
Currently, IVF treatments in private hospitals range from ₹1.2 lakh to ₹4.5 lakh per cycle — an amount out of reach for many couples, especially since most health insurance policies do not cover fertility procedures. Karnataka’s Private Medical Establishments Act also does not regulate or cap IVF treatment costs.
Gynaecologists in Bengaluru report a 20%–30% rise in infertility cases over the last five years, with a significant uptick in male infertility. The state government hopes this public-sector IVF initiative will offer an accessible, cost-effective solution to aspiring parents across Karnataka.
