(ANSA) - ROME, JANUARY 14 - To counter the decline in births,
the Hungarian government has decided to offer free reproductive
technology, announced premier Viktor Orban himself, the BBC
reported. At a press conference, Orban pointed out that
fertility "is an area of national strategic importance."
The country has seen a steady decline in births over the past
decade. Last December the government brought six fertility
clinics under state control. These clinics are likely to offer
free fertility treatments from February 1. "Bringing fertility
clinics under state control - Orban explained - will be useful
to make the whole process completely transparent. Fertility
treatments will no longer be provided on a commercial basis."
The fertility rate in Hungary has halved in the past 50 years
and is among the lowest in Europe, although in Mediterranean
countries like Greece and Italy you can find even lower rates.
(ANSA).
© Copyright ANSA - All rights reserved