Abu Dhabi: A total of Dh1 million has been pledged to offer free fertility treatment to needy, childless couples in the UAE, the HealthPlus Fertility Centre announced on Saturday.

The private facility, part of health-care provider network United Eastern Medical Services (UEMedical), has pledged the free treatments to coincide with the UAE’s Year of Giving.

“This IVF campaign will run until the end of the year, and our counsellors will immediately start receiving applications in person. A committee has been formed to review each case based on multiple socioeconomic factors, as well as the couple’s medical condition. To qualify, the couple should have no children, and have limited income.” said Mohammad Al Hammadi, chief executive officer and managing director of UEMedical.

A representative at the facility told Gulf News that about 40 to 50 couples are expected to benefit from the initiative, and will receive the whole battery of infertility treatment, including consultations, laboratory tests, ultrasound scans and any fertility-related procedures.

In the UAE, one in every five couples is known to face infertility issues, with age, obesity and hormonal imbalances being major contributors to the increasing prevalence of the condition. Treatment for infertility can be rather expensive, and although the Thiqa insurance plan for Emiratis covers the cost, most insurance plans available to expatriates do not make provisions for infertility treatment.

The HealthPlus Fertility Centre reports a 50 per cent success rate, which means that one in every two couples that seeks treatment at the facility will have a positive outcome.

Majd Abu Zanta, chief executive officer at the HealthPlus network of speciality centres, said the facility performed more than 2,700 infertility treatments last year.

“The UAE’s Year of Giving enforces social responsibility among the private sector, and at UEMedical, we have always been keen to support and give back to the community. This is one of the initiatives to double our efforts during the year,” Al Hammadi added.