The national health service is to start providing a service so that people can freeze their eggs and sperm to be used later in the IVF process.
This was announced by Health and Active Ageing Minister Jo Etienne Abela and the Parliamentary Secretary for Equality and Reforms Rebecca Buttigieg.
It was explained that until now, this facility was only given to people for medical reasons. The new criteria that are coming into force immediately will now also include women who are between 18 and 34 years old and who potentially wish to become parents.
They will now be able to do egg freezing and sperm freezing for free through the public service (NHS) for personal use in the future, with the aim of preserving their fertility.
Minister Jo Etienne Abela explained that as women age, the fertility rate in women decreases continuously. He said that this same rate can be adversely affected by gynaecological infections.
Therefore, Dr Abela appealed for sexual health to be given special importance by individuals. This measure is intended for those people who, due to various reasons, including career circumstances, wish to have their children later in life.
He said that this will be done within the framework of robust law and with the regulations and controls of the Embryo Protection Authority.
“Social freezing of eggs and sperm gives a greater chance to people who wish to become parents later in their reproductive life. Therefore, this is a pro-life measure that addresses the low fertility rate in our country,” concluded Minister Abela.
Parliamentary Secretary Rebecca Buttigieg stressed that this procedure will not freeze an embryo but only the eggs and sperm will be frozen separately.
The Parliamentary Secretary said that there are a number of people who, for valid reasons, needed to have this procedure but could not because the national health service did not provide for them.
She called this development a new right whereby the modern facilities provided by science will be available to everyone and not just to those who can afford it.
Buttigieg concluded by saying that this procedure will enhance flexibility in family planning and eventually improve the fertility rate.
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