Unanswered questions abound as B.C. gets closer to rolling out free IVF program

British Columbia's publicly funded IVF program is set to open for applications in July, but many details remain unresolved. Dr. Ghadeer Akbar, a specialist at Grace Fertility Clinic in Vancouver, points out that the clinic's waiting list is growing, indicating a high demand for services. She calls for the eligibility age to be raised from 42 to 43 and for the province to provide two rounds of free IVF treatment instead of just one. Akbar stresses that delays can significantly impact patients' fertility outcomes, especially for those over 37 years old.

She reminds potential patients that every three months can make a difference in fertility, particularly for older couples. The Ministry of Health is currently working to finalize which clinics will participate and how the funding will be structured. Akbar encourages individuals to take charge of their reproductive health, suggesting egg freezing as an option, even though it is not covered by B. C. 's health plan.

The emotional toll of waiting for treatment can be substantial, as patients face uncertainty about their eligibility and coverage.