Context: WHO has released its first-ever global guideline on infertility, calling for safer, fairer and affordable fertility care worldwide.
- It aims to help countries integrate infertility prevention, diagnosis and treatment into public health systems as infertility affects 1 in 6 people globally.
About WHO Issues First Global Guideline on Infertility:
What the Guideline Is?
- WHO’s first global framework to standardise prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infertility.
- Seeks to make fertility care accessible, equitable and evidence-based, especially in countries where treatment is unaffordable and fragmented.
Key Features of the Guideline:
- 40 recommendations covering prevention, early diagnosis, counselling and advanced treatment options.
- Focus on cost-effective infertility care integrated into national health strategies and UHC frameworks.
- Encourages fertility awareness in schools, primary health centres and reproductive health facilities.
- Addresses risk factors such as untreated STIs, tobacco use, poor lifestyle habits.
- Recommends lifestyle interventions—healthy diet, exercise, tobacco cessation—for individuals trying to conceive.
- Provides clinical pathways for diagnosing infertility in both men and women using evidence-based protocols.
- Strong emphasis on psychosocial support, recognising the emotional stress, stigma and mental health burdens linked to infertility.
- Urges countries to adopt a rights-based, gender-equal reproductive health framework.
Relevance in UPSC Exam:
- GS-1 Society & Social Issues:
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- Infertility as a public health and social issue affecting families, marriage, gender dynamics.
- Stigma, mental health, and societal pressure surrounding infertility.
- GS-2 Health, Governance & Policies:
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- WHO guidelines as part of global health governance and India’s commitments.
- Role of public health systems, need for universal access, reducing catastrophic health expenditure.
- Integrating infertility care under National Health Mission, reproductive health rights, SDG 3 (Good Health).
- GS-4 Ethics & Human Values:
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- Ethical issues around equity, access, and reproductive rights.
- Avoiding exploitation in the infertility industry; upholding dignity and autonomy of couples.
