Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans will address a major health policy conference this week where she will call for a public health action plan at EU level to tackle infertility.
The tenth European Health Forum is held at Bad Gastein, Austria this week and brings together politicians and practitioners involved in determining health policy across the EU. Other speakers at the event include health ministers from various European countries, European Commissioners, and leading academics.
Jill Evans - formerly Wales organiser for CHILD, the infertility support network - will call for equality of access to fertility treatment and urge stronger action at EU level.
Speaking on Thursday 4 October, Ms Evans will say:
"Infertility is a medical condition which affects one in six couples. It has a devastating effect on those involved and must be taken more seriously by the European Commission and Europe's Member States.
"Access to treatment varies not just from country to country but within countries and there is a tremendous amount to learn from countries such as Belgium and Denmark who have increased access to free treatment with positive results.
"We need to see access to fertility treatment within the context of the demographic challenges we face. As the birth rate declines, the availability of assisted reproduction techniques and providing couples with the appropriate support, become all the more important.
"With ever more ageing populations and declining birth rates, improving access to fertility treatment can help us deal with the related social and economic challenges we face. It's not just the couples involved but the whole of society that will benefit."
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For more information on the event see www.ehfg.org.
