The assessment, published by patient association Nasz Bocian and health research group CEESTAHC, surveyed 767 patients and 37 of the 58 clinics participating in the program.
"The IVF program works and genuinely changes access to treatment in Poland. At the same time, our research shows that the 'free program' is not free for many couples", said Marta Górna, president of Nasz Bocian.
Around 30 babies are born daily through the program, which has drawn in new patients — 60% of participants had never previously attempted IVF, many having previously been unable to afford treatment.
Over 90% of patients rated the program's design positively. However, 73% of clinics identified funding caps as the key barrier, with some treatments interrupted mid-cycle due to depleted funds. Clinic operators are calling for the annual budget to be raised by at least PLN 200 million (EUR 47 million).
"Although the statutory minimum is PLN 500 million (EUR 118 million) annually, and the health ministry increased that by an additional PLN 100 million (EUR 24 million) in the past two years, funds are still insufficient," Górna said.
Despite the program's free-of-charge premise, nearly half of patients paid for qualification tests that should have been covered. For 16% of participants, out-of-pocket costs exceeded PLN 5,000 (EUR 1180), while the same proportion spent that amount on stimulation drugs alone.
Inconsistent rule interpretation has compounded the problem — nearly half of clinics reported the Health Ministry changing its reading of the same regulations, with some facilities charging for services that others provide free.
The program also excludes single women and couples requiring IVF with pre-implantation genetic testing to screen for serious hereditary conditions — gaps Górna attributed to legislative constraints rather than flaws in the program itself. "To change this, an amendment to the law is first necessary", she said.
(jh)
Source: PAP