The cost of medicines needed for in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment will be covered by the state from next year, Health Minister Chris Fearne announced on Wednesday. Speaking in parliament, Fearne said that while the government currently covered some €15,000 of the costs for treatment at Mater Dei, couples were still forced to pay over €3,000 in medicines. Malta first introduced IVF services into the public health service in October 2015, following years-long delays. While medical services for the fertility treatment are offered for free, stimulation medicines required at the outset must be bought. Now, as from next year, the government will also be covering these additional costs, meaning parents will not have to pay a cent when going through the IVF treatment. In April, the Nationalist Party had said couples should not have to pay for the medicine and proposed the removal of this financial burden by having the government cover costs, reiterating a stance it has adopted for several years. Fearne was speaking during a debate on the financial estimates for he Embryo Protection Authority. COVID-19 update Meanwhile, giving an update on COVID-19, Fearne said Malta has a...
