Nepal issues first-ever IVF and Infertility Treatment Standards, age limit set for semen and egg donors

KATHMANDU: In a major policy move, the Government of Nepal has formally approved the nation’s first standardized guidelines to regulate infertility treatment services, including IVF (In Vitro Fertilization), amid growing concerns over unregulated clinics and exploitation of vulnerable couples seeking parenthood.

The Ministry of Health and Population has endorsed the “Infertility Management Service Operation Guideline, 2082”, through a ministerial decision by Health Minister Pradip Paudel. Officials say the new framework is expected to significantly overhaul the country’s fertility treatment sector, bringing legal clarity, ethical oversight and service standardization.

Dr. Saroj Sharma, chief of the Quality Measurement and Regulation Division at the ministry, said the guideline will regulate infertility centers under legal authority, ensure uniformity in service delivery, and set mandatory standards for infrastructure, trained manpower, lab procedures and donor eligibility.

“This is not just a medical protocol; infertility is a deeply sensitive psychological and social issue,” Sharma said. “This guideline will act as a milestone in making infertility services safer, transparent and up to international standards.”

Key Features of the New Guideline

Mandatory Permission: All infertility centers offering services like IUI and IVF must obtain compulsory authorization from the Ministry of Health.

Specialist Personnel Requirement: Every licensed center must have qualified infertility specialists, trained embryologists and anesthesiologists.

Environmental Standards: Technical benchmarks are set for laboratories and operating rooms that directly impact embryo development.

Transparent Fees: Service charges can only be collected as per rates approved by the ministry.

Free Service Provision: Each center must provide 10% of its services free of cost to poor and economically marginalized patients.

Regular Monitoring: A ministry committee will conduct routine inspections, and non-compliance may result in cancellation of operating licenses.

Strict Rules for Sperm and Egg Donors

For the first time, Nepal has laid out clear donor-related rules including age, health condition, consent and anonymity:

-Donors must be between 20 and 35 years old

-Must be medically screened and certified free from infectious diseases

-If married, written consent from both spouses is mandatory

-The number of donations per person is restricted

-Donor identity must remain strictly confidential

-Donation through coercion, pressure or financial inducement is strictly forbidden

Safeguarding Patients Amid Growing IVF Industry Concerns

The new policy emerges following rising incidents of substandard fertility clinics, unregulated pricing and complaints from couples who felt cheated or endangered during treatments. Ministry spokesperson Dr. Prakash Budathoki noted that with the surge in infertility cases in Nepal, clinics had mushroomed without proper scrutiny, putting vulnerable couples at risk.

“Many institutions were charging high fees without quality services, and couples were at risk physically and emotionally,” Budathoki said. “This guideline will make infertility services safer, reliable and more accountable.”

Officials emphasized that infertility treatment now falls under legal scrutiny, and service providers will be held fully responsible for any malpractice. Any institution failing to meet the set standards will face strict legal action, including license revocation.