A Night of Hope: Fertility Support Community to hold fundraiser for people who need IVF

Local NGO, Fertility Support Community (FSC) has announced plans to host a gala dinner to raise funds to aid people who require IVF treatment.

The 'A Night of Hope' gala dinner will be held at Meeruma Hall on Wednesday, November 2, in conjunction with World Fertility Day.

The gala dinner will see some invited guests, and is also open to the public.

At the gala dinner, FSC will launch its IVF Fund – which will support people with fertility issues who are unable to take IVF treatment due to financial constraints.

FSC expressed concern that despite the prevalence of fertility issues in Maldives, the country has yet to have a permanent fertility doctor or a fertility center.

Each IVF cycle requires patients who travel overseas for two months, and costs approximately MVR 5,000, noted FSC.

FSC said the biggest goal of setting up the fund is to support people with fertility issues who have no other course of treatment available except for IVF, but are unable to take IVF treatment due to financial constraints.

FSC noted that infertility continues to be a taboo topic in Maldives.

“Its one of the biggest goals of this community to change that perspective, increase public awareness, and encourage people to seek effective treatment,” said FSC.

Statistics released by the World Health Organization (WHO) show 48-186 million seek fertility treatments worldwide.

FSC was founded in January 2021 to raise public awareness regarding fertility issues and the available treatment options, and provide psychological support to people with fertility issues.

The NGO began with regular peer-to-peer support group sessions, and went on to expand activities with various sessions with the assistance of both local and international fertility experts. The organization now has over 250 active members across Maldives.

Tickets for the fundraiser gala dinner can be booked online.