After years of advocacy by local fertility specialists Dr. Deanna Murphy and Dr. Sean Murphy, Newfoundland and Labrador might be closer to establishing its first in-vitro fertilization (IVF) clinic. The premier’s recent renewed pledge, coupled with a potential timeline, has sparked cautious optimism among the specialists, who have been pressing for this development since 2018.
A Long-Awaited Commitment
Dr. Sean Murphy expressed that IVF is not a new or groundbreaking procedure—it has been the standard of care for decades and should be available in Newfoundland and Labrador. He emphasized that offering anything less than IVF is akin to offering substandard treatment, equating it to chemotherapy for cancer. Despite Premier Andrew Furey’s election promise to open an IVF clinic in 2021, no concrete steps had been taken until recently.
At a January 23 press conference, Premier Furey committed to a potential IVF clinic opening by January 2026, which Dr. Sean Murphy calls “cautiously optimistic.” However, he acknowledged that time is tight, especially considering the long delays experienced so far. Both doctors emphasized the urgent need to begin planning now to meet the tight timeline.
Impact of Current Fertility Treatments
Currently, patients in the province who seek IVF must travel outside Newfoundland and Labrador, often facing stress and additional costs of up to $20,000 per cycle. While intrauterine insemination (IUI) is available, its success rate is much lower than IVF, about 15%. Dr. Deanna Murphy highlighted the emotional and logistical challenges that patients face, particularly in accessing support and addressing complex questions about their IVF cycles once they return home.
In response to this, the government introduced a travel subsidy in 2022 that reimburses patients up to $5,000 per IVF cycle for up to three cycles, totaling $15,000. However, the need for local access to IVF remains critical for many patients.
Increased Demand for Fertility Services
The demand for fertility services in the province is growing rapidly. Dr. Deanna Murphy noted that her practice has seen a significant increase in consultations, from 200 IUI procedures in 2012 to about 600-700 annually today. This surge reflects broader trends in the province, where infertility is becoming an increasingly common issue.
Beyond providing IVF for couples facing infertility, Dr. Deanna Murphy pointed out that an IVF clinic could benefit individuals looking to preserve fertility, including those who are transgender, in same-sex relationships, or facing medical conditions such as cancer.
Government’s Path Forward
In the fall of 2023, the Newfoundland and Labrador government commissioned a report by Thinkwell Research + Strategy to review fertility services and make recommendations for improvement. The report suggested the introduction of IVF and fertility preservation services within the province, echoing the concerns raised by Dr. Murphy and other fertility specialists for years.
Dr. Deanna Murphy expressed that while the report’s conclusions were promising, the delays in acting on them have been frustrating. She also emphasized that IVF could lead to improved pregnancy safety by reducing the multiple pregnancy rate seen with IUI treatments, as IVF allows for better control over the number of embryos implanted.
Looking Ahead
As the province works toward implementing IVF services, Dr. Sean Murphy and Dr. Deanna Murphy remain hopeful, holding out for meaningful progress. They are eager to have further discussions with Health Minister John Hogan and are optimistic that the renewed commitment from the Premier could lead to concrete action. Their goal is not only to provide IVF but to ensure that the clinic is established in a way that meets the growing demand and addresses the diverse needs of the community.
As Dr. Sean Murphy put it, they will continue to hold onto “cautious optimism,” while also hoping for a breakthrough that brings good news to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador in the coming months.
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