Supporting fertility campaigners in Romania

I flew to Bucharest in Romania to meet with the team at the SOS Infertility Association, led by president Nicole Brunel, who is herself an IVF mother after seven years of trying to conceive with seven attempts at IVF.

The Romanian government recently restored funding for IVF after cutting it in a previous budget and the association are lobbying for consistency of funding on behalf of those trying to conceive.

We were able to have an official meeting with the Government Minister of Investments and European Projects, Mr. Dragoș Pîslaru, at his offices to discuss the issue with him.

I gave a speech at a forum entitled “Infertility In Romania: patients’ rights, public policy” attended by patients, doctors, IVF specialists and law-makers which was live-streamed on the web.

I pointed out that the pioneers Robert Edwards and Patrick Steptoe wanted IVF to be available to everyone that needed it and that funding from Government sources was vital in all countries. There were some fantastic contributions to the discussions about infertility as a medical and social issue in Romania.

With Nicole I went on to live television news and magazine programmes to further raise awareness of the work of SOS Infertilitatea Association and prompt public discussions about fertility.

There are millions of people who, in Europe and in Romania, face infertility and need good public policies, well-trained specialists, and consistent support.

Romania already has dedicated specialists, high-performing clinics, an active civic community, and informed, courageous patients. It should build on that.

For patients every month matters and public policies need to be consistent, not ad-hoc or cancelled or have to wait for budget cycles. In times when funding is not available for fertility issues some people lose their one chance of ever having a family. Biological time does not pause until the next budget is decided.

Fortunately, in Romania patients have had the SOS Infertilitatea Association fighting for their rights. They are campaigning for values that should be reflected across the whole of Europe so that around infertility there are clear laws; predictable programmes; high laboratory standards, public reporting; honest information; psychological support and inclusion.

Romania has all the ingredients to be a regional example, what is missing, from time to time, is continuity.

It was my first-ever visit to Romania and I experienced some wonderful hospitality and hope that the visit was successful in raising vital issues.