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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Power tariffs under BESCOM to rise from May 1
Bengaluru (PTI): Power bills for consumers under the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) will go up from May 1, following an order issued by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) on Friday.
The hike comes after KERC allowed the BESCOM to recover a revenue deficit of Rs 2,068 crore incurred in 2024-25, from the consumers.
As a result, for every unit of electricity consumed in 2024-25, the customers will be charged an additional 56 paise, it said.
"BESCOM shall calculate, for each of the active consumers of FY2024-25 the amount to be recovered based on their actual energy consumption during FY2024-25. Such amount shall be recovered during FY 2026-27 in equal monthly instalments, to be called as 'FY25 True up Charges', commencing from the first meter reading date falling on or after 1 May 2026 and concluding with the reading date ending on 30 April 2027," the order said.
"It is further ordered that BESCOM shall maintain a separate head of account, allocated for the purpose, to record the adjustment of the said amount to ensure full recovery of the deficit," it added.
Similarly Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (CESC) has also recorded a revenue deficit of Rs 121.71 crore and can collect an additional 15 paisa per unit for consumption in 2024-25, official sources said.
