IVF Can Become Driving Force Behind Medical Tourism to Greece

IVF (in vitro fertilization) treatments with the support of highly trained medical experts can be the driving force behind medical tourism to Greece, a recent conference on the subject, held in Athens, found.

According to conclusions of the event organized last week by the British Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, which gathered field experts and health ministry officials, Greece has all the prerequisites to become a leading IVF treatment provider, boosting in the meantime the local economy.

“IVF can serve as a major driver of medical tourism,” said Athens Medical Association Vice President George Patoulis, and called on Health Minister Panagiotis Kouroumblis to move ahead with the implementation of a legal framework that will facilitate the operation of such centers.

Mr Patoulis stressed that Greece has attracted hundreds of couples and individuals seeking IVF treatment primarily due to the high level of expertise offered in this field.

“We have begun to discuss the issue of medical tourism,” the health minister said during an Economist conference held in Athens last week and added that the ministry will have prepared a ruling on IVF centers by June, paving the way for operation permits.

The minister also said that the government had proceeded with the creation of a relevant committee in that direction and that the ministry would work with the country’s medical associations in order to support the sector.