Around 15,000 children have been born in Kazakhstan through in vitro fertilization performed under free quotas as part of the state-run "Ansagan Sabi" program, the website infohub.kz reports.
According to the Almaty child protection department, the government has increased the number of annual quotas amid high demand — up to 7,000 IVF quotas are now allocated each year.
The department stressed that for many families this is the only chance to become parents, since the state fully covers the cost of the expensive procedure.
Another key innovation is the launch of a "one-day clinic" for expectant mothers. In this format, without the usual running between offices, more than 66,000 pregnant women have already undergone their first comprehensive screening.
"The 'one-day clinic' format makes it possible to carry out a comprehensive examination of pregnant women in a short time, minimizing the risk of complications and detecting pathologies at early stages," the statement says.
The "Ansagan Sabi" program was launched in Kazakhstan in January 2021 on the instructions of President Qasym-Jomart Toqaev. Under the program, the number of IVF quotas has been increased sevenfold. To implement it, the Ministry of Health set up a working group that includes the country's leading specialists in the field.
Recall that to receive a referral for IVF, a woman must contact the polyclinic at her place of attachment, undergo an examination and take certain tests. Once infertility is diagnosed, a special commission issues a referral for the in vitro fertilization procedure.