The WHO says it's a disease, but SA medical aids won't cover THIS condition

Clinical technologist Stacey Wilson joins Africa Melane to discuss the profound impact that IVF has on families.

It is almost 46 years since Louise Brown became the world's first 'test-tube baby'.

Brown was born on 25 July 1978 following the first-ever successful IVF (In-vitro fertilisation) procedure.

Since then, millions of IVF children have been born all over the world and it has become a successful treatment for infertility globally.

But the procedure is not cheap.

In South Africa, IVF treatment can cost in the region of R54,000 to R110,000.

Why is IVF so expensive in South Africa?

"Unfortunatley in South Africa, we don't produce any of the materials that we need in order to do the procedure. Everything we need is outsourced from overseas and that puts huge cost on the companies running it."

Stacey Wilson, Clinical Technologist - Reproductive Biology

What is IVF?

"With In-Vitro - that's just a Latin term for 'in glass', so outside the body. What I do is recreate the internal environment, or what would be happening inside the womb, I recreate that outside the womb."

Stacey Wilson, Clinical Technologist - Reproductive Biology

Is IVF covered by medical aid?

"In South Africa, one in six couples have difficulty falling pregnant...it's not chosen, it's not self-inflicted. Medical aid sadly see it as a cosmetic procedure."

Stacey Wilson, Clinical Technologist - Reproductive Biology

The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified infertility as a disease, "defined by the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse."

"Although it's not recognised in our country as such. Once we reach that day, then I think we'll see a lot of changes regarding funding provided."

Stacey Wilson, Clinical Technologist - Reproductive Biology