170 couples undergo IVF treatment in Malta

A year since its appointment, the Embryo Protection Authority has presented its Annual Report to  Chris Fearne, the Parliamentary Secretary for Health.

The report includes, for the first time all statistics related to Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) being held in Malta both in the public and private hospitals, as well as clinics. 

 The Authority reported that in the period from March 2013 to March 2014, 170 couples underwent IVF treatment in Malta. Out of these, 149 were Maltese residents whilst 21 were foreigners - all foreign residents underwent their IVF in the private sector.  Out of the 170 couples, 45 couples became pregnant with 42 of these being pregnant with singletons and 3 being pregnant with a multiple twin pregnancy.

The Authority also reported that since its appointment in May 2013, the EPA received 142 requests for IVF and ICSI procedures both in private and public sectors and out of these, it approved 138 and declined 4 requests - the declined requested all came from the private sector.  The Authority reported that reason for decline of these applications was that 3 women were over the maximum age limit allowed by the EPA protocol whilst one woman was under the minimum age limit allowed by the EPA Protocol.

One of the functions of the EPA is to approve or decline requests for the attempt of fertilisation of three oocytes (female eggs) instead of two oocytes.  The Authority approved 38 applications out of the 52 received from clinics to attempt to fertilize three oocytes. These decisions were taken together with representatives from the Paediatrics Association and the Obstetrics and Gynaecologists Association as per stipulated in the Embryo Protection Act.
The Authority also reported that as from July 2013 the private sector clinics started gamete cryopreservation (freezing) both oocytes and sperm freezing are being held. Between July 2013 and March 2014, 86 couples have made use of this service.