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Fertility treatment now free in Quebec
QUEBEC CITY, The shortage of doctors is expected to become worse in Quebec now that fertility treatments are free in the Canadian province.
The new policy took effect Thursday.
Gaetan Barrette, president of the Quebec Association of Medical Specialists, said the province will not "be able to deliver" to the thousands of women already waiting for in vitro fertilization and other treatments, The Montreal Gazette reported. A midwives group said 1,500 pregnant women were unable to find a gynecologist or family practitioner.
"It's a diversion of medical practice to political issues," Barrette said.
The provincial government decided to provide fertility treatments, something that is expected to cost $69 million a year, because of concerns about the low birthrate. Women can get treatment, including up to three courses of in vitro fertilization, until they reach menopause.
Barrette said that with 3,000 women already on waiting lists the government should have provided more guidance on who should get treatment first.
QUEBEC CITY, The shortage of doctors is expected to become worse in Quebec now that fertility treatments are free in the Canadian province.
The new policy took effect Thursday.
Gaetan Barrette, president of the Quebec Association of Medical Specialists, said the province will not "be able to deliver" to the thousands of women already waiting for in vitro fertilization and other treatments, The Montreal Gazette reported. A midwives group said 1,500 pregnant women were unable to find a gynecologist or family practitioner.
"It's a diversion of medical practice to political issues," Barrette said.
The provincial government decided to provide fertility treatments, something that is expected to cost $69 million a year, because of concerns about the low birthrate. Women can get treatment, including up to three courses of in vitro fertilization, until they reach menopause.
Barrette said that with 3,000 women already on waiting lists the government should have provided more guidance on who should get treatment first.
