Nepal Health News, Kathmandu – IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) service providers across the country have been left uncertain following the implementation of the newly approved "Infertility Management Service Operation Standards 2082" by the Ministry of Health and Population. Clinic operators say provisions related to the qualifications of clinical embryologists, necessary equipment, and access to emergency hospitals are “practically difficult to implement.”
The ministry introduced these standards to make IVF services safe, regulated, and of high quality. However, according to service providers, the new guidelines have also disqualified experienced professionals who have been working in the field for years from receiving registration and recognition.
Preeti Bista, Chief Clinical Embryologist at Angel Fertility Clinic, shared that despite working in this field for over a decade, she has not yet been able to register with the Nepal Health Professional Council (NHPC). “I have fellowships and diplomas from India and Spain, but Nepal does not recognize those certificates. As a result, I’m not legally allowed to work,” Bista stated.
According to the standards, only those with a postgraduate degree in clinical embryology or a medical qualification with at least one year of fellowship in the field are allowed to work. The guidelines also provide conditional recognition to those who have undergone practical training and gained experience before the implementation of the standards — but online or virtual training is not accepted.
Meanwhile, confusion deepened after the Supreme Court issued a temporary order to halt procedures related to egg retrieval and storage. However, the ministry clarified that this order will not affect the IVF clinic renewal process.
All 26 IVF clinics currently operating in the country are required to apply for renewal within 90 days and fully comply with all standards within 180 days.
Service providers, however, report that the implementation process is cumbersome, citing a lack of trained human resources and infrastructure as major challenges.
Prashant Subedi, Director of Vatsalya Health Care, said, “There’s no quality emergency hospital near our clinic. It’s hard to find such a facility within a two-kilometer radius, yet the standards mandate this requirement.”
According to a ministry spokesperson, the standards were developed after in-depth consultations with stakeholders. Since these clinics provide specialized services, referring patients to regular hospitals in emergencies is not appropriate. Hence, the standards require the presence of an appropriate level of hospital infrastructure.
The spokesperson added, “We don’t want any embryologist to be treated unfairly. If anyone meets the qualifications but is not registered, they should come forward. We will coordinate with the Health Professional Council or the Medical Council to find a solution.”
The standards also mention the need for coordination to launch educational programs, fellowships, and training for producing the required manpower in the IVF sector. However, the number of officially registered clinical embryologists in Nepal remains very low.
While the new standards aim to ensure quality in IVF services, the lack of clarity and flexibility in their implementation has caused stress among service providers. This indicates a need for further dialogue and coordination between the ministry, councils, and stakeholders to find long-term solutions.
