Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Aug 23: In a major relief for childless couples from economically weaker sections, the Karnataka government has brought Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) procedures under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana-Chief Minister’s Arogya Karnataka (AB-PMJAY-CM’s ArK) scheme.

The state health and family welfare minister, U T Khader, announced the initiative in the Legislative Council while responding to a starred question raised by MLC Dr Dhananjay Sarji.

As per the announcement, advanced fertility treatments including in vitro fertilisation (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and frozen embryo transfer (FET) will now be covered under the state's flagship health scheme.

The benefit will initially be rolled out on a pilot basis for a period of one year. During this phase, it will be available to 120 Priority Household (PHH) and Below Poverty Line (BPL) cardholders.

The initiative is specifically aimed at helping economically disadvantaged families access fertility treatments, which otherwise demand massive out-of-pocket expenses. The government order noted that infertility often leads to severe social and emotional distress. Recognising that ART procedures are highly expensive and remain largely unaffordable for poor couples, the government has decided to implement this inclusive healthcare measure across the state.