Karnataka government to set up IVF clinics amid growing demand for fertility treatments
Bengaluru: Amid a concerning rise in infertility rates and an increasing demand for medically assisted reproductive services, the Karnataka government has reportedly begun efforts to establish government-run in-vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics across the state.
In the 2023-2024 budget, an allocation of Rs 6 crore was announced to set up four IVF clinics. The Bengaluru unit will be located at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College and Research Institute (ABVMCRI), formerly known as Bowring and Lady Curzon Medical College and Research Institute, as reported by Deccan Herald.
The other clinics will be situated at the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubballi (under a CSR initiative), Mysore Medical College and Research Institute, and the Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences, Kalaburagi.
“We are calling for tenders and the unit should be set up in the next six months. Gynaecologists, urologists and other specialists will be provided by our college and hospital,” DH quoted Dr Manoj Kumar H.V., director and dean of ABVMCRI, as saying.
Infertility rate has gone up by at least 20 percent to 30 percent in the last five years. Male infertility has also seen a significant rise, added the report.
Dr Sharanprakash Patil, Minister for Medical Education, explained that they are establishing these clinic due to high demand. “This initiative does not come under Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka (AB-ArK), so we cannot set up units everywhere. We are yet to decide on the rates to be charged for the procedure,” DH quoted Patil as saying.
Meanwhile, it is expected that the rates will be significantly cheaper than private clinics. Currently, the cost for a single IVF cycle at private establishments ranges from Rs 1.2 lakh to Rs 4.5 lakh, with no coverage from health insurance companies.
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Cong leader Prithviraj Chavan defiant after facing verbal missiles on Op Sindoor remarks
Mumbai (PTI): Despite facing criticism, senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan on Wednesday stood by his controversial comments that India faced a "total defeat" in aerial fight with Pakistan on the first day of Operation Sindoor on May 7.
The former Union minister refused to apologise for his comments on the Indian military operation against terror hubs in Pakistan and PoK in aftermath of massacre of tourists at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir in April.
Talking to reporters in Pune on Tuesday, Chavan claimed India faced a "total defeat in the aerial fight (with Pakistan) on May 7 which lasted for half-an-hour".
"One may believe this or not. After that the Indian Air Force got grounded and not a single aircraft took flight that day.... be it Gwalior, Bhatinda or Sirsa, there was a possibility of aircraft being shot down, so our complete Air Force was grounded," the former Maharashtra chief minister had said.
Hitting out at Chavan, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde accused the Congress of speaking the language of Pakistan. He said questioning the military action was akin to demoralising the morale of armed forces.
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"The criticism does not stem from the love of the nation, but love for Pakistan," said the chief leader of the Shiv Sena, a key constituent of the BJP-led NDA.
Chavan, however, remained defiant.
"There is no question of apologising. The Constitution has given me the right to ask questions," the Congress veteran asserted.
Chavan also questioned the need of having a 12-lakh strong Army when future wars will be about aerial combats and missiles. "During Operation Sindoor we saw that there was no movement of the Army even for a kilometre," he had said.
BJP Lok Sabha MP and spokesperson Sambit Patra said Chavan's remarks are loaded with sedition.
"He (Chavan) has refused to apologise. The Indian armed forces struck 100 kms inside the Pakistan territory and destroyed 11 air strips (of the Pakistani Air Force). He made remarks that the Indian Army did not even move an inch (during the military operation). This is nothing but a statement full of sedition, a statement of a traitor," Patra said, lashing out at the Congress leader.
The BJP spokesperson maintained the Congress appears to be standing with Chavan and alleged the Opposition party is playing into foreign hands.
Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra should apologise for it, he added.
Union minister Giriraj Singh of the BJP insisted it was not right to devalue the valour of Indian armed forces.
Samajwadi Party MP Virendra Singh suggested that wherever armed forces are concerned, every Indian should be mindful of statements they make and ensure their comments do not demoralise the military.
Operation Sindoor was a result of "mistakes of politicians", he claimed.
TDP MP Krishna Devraylu said after the poll defeat in Bihar, the Congress is rattled and their leaders have been talking absurdly.
"Chavan's remarks are a prime example of this. This kind of disrespect to our armed forces is not necessary. If the Congress is angry with the NDA, it should show it in a different way and not drag armed forces into it," Devraylu opined.
AAP MP Ashok Mittal said such statements should not be made by any senior politician, especially by someone who has been a former chief minister.
The Indian armed forces registered a strong victory and destroyed terror launchpads in Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, Mittal added.
