The Labour Party has pledged to update the law regulating in vitro fertilisation (IVF) within the first 100 days of government. However, specific details have not yet been disclosed. The party’s manifesto mentions “widening the scientific procedures” to assist couples who have experienced multiple unsuccessful IVF treatments, have medical histories, or have faced recurrent miscarriages in their journey to parenthood.
One likely reform could involve the introduction of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). PGD would ensure that only healthy embryos are transferred to the woman. Currently, PGD is not an available treatment option, as the existing law prohibits discarding embryos deemed unsuitable for implantation due to hereditary conditions or diseases.
The IVF law was last amended in 2018, introducing significant changes such as:
The government already covers the cost of IVF cycles, which range from €15,000 to €20,000. Additionally, the government has pledged to start covering the cost of hormone treatments required before the procedure.
When contacted by MaltaToday, a health ministry spokesperson stated that an announcement on IVF amendments “will be made in due course.” Meanwhile, Dr. Christine Schembri Deguara from Hope Fertility Clinic has shared insights on what the medical community hopes to see in the upcoming reforms. These include enhanced support for patients and updated technologies to improve outcomes for those undergoing treatment.
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