Abhishek Aggrawal, Chief Business Officer, Birla Fertility & IVF, C.K. Birla Group emphasises that in the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare, digital health solutions have emerged as a transformative force, impacting various medical specialties, including reproductive medicine. In particular, the field of In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) has witnessed a paradigm shift with the integration of digital technologies
Sub-fertility represents a significant and widespread issue, almost reaching the status of a global pandemic. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), sub-fertility ranks as the third-largest healthcare burden worldwide, and paradoxically, it remains one of the most underserved medical conditions on a global scale. This staggering burden highlights the huge scalability of the challenge. In India, the situation is no different, with approximately 1 out of every 6 married couple grappling with sub-fertility, while navigating the complex landscape of fertility treatments.
A recent report by Acumen Research and Consulting states that the global IVF market is projected to reach a substantial USD 36 billion by 2030. In India, the IVF industry currently stands at USD 746 million and is anticipated to double within the next five years. However, the worldwide success of IVF remains relatively modest, fluctuating between 35 per cent to 45 per cent. This variation is contingent upon factors such as the woman’s age, BMI, and the quality of both eggs and sperm, among other considerations. Beyond clinical parameters, the success of IVF is heavily influenced by the choice of centre that patients opt for during their IVF journey.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare, digital health solutions have emerged as a transformative force, impacting various medical specialties, including reproductive medicine. In particular, the field of In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) has witnessed a paradigm shift with the integration of digital technologies.
AI and sub-fertility treatment
AI holds great promise in the context of fertility treatments. Currently, a couple’s success in fertility treatment relies heavily on the precise selection of the right sperm, the quality of eggs, and the most suitable embryo for implantation. With AI, we can envision a scenario in which artificial intelligence assists embryologists in their decision-making processes, effectively reducing errors and significantly improving patient outcomes. This innovation has the potential to substantially increase success rates and revolutionise the field of fertility treatments.
The probability of achieving pregnancy through a single IVF cycle stands at approximately 30 per cent-65 per cent. Consequently, majority of patients often require multiple cycles before achieving the desired outcome of a successful live birth. The outcome of IVF treatments is significantly contingent on the decisions made throughout the clinical process and the proficiency of the embryologists involved. Therefore, it is crucial to leverage the benefits and power of AI in IVF centres to ensure optimal outcomes for patients. AI has the potential to enhance clinical efficacy and efficiency, hence enhancing the course of ART treatment. From fertilisation to the blastocyst stage, AI provides ongoing forecasts by integrating with time-lapse imaging (TLI) technologies. Embryos at various stages of development are automatically recognised, segmented, and studied at the pixel level as they are photographed by the TLI system.
Integrating AI into IVF centres for enhanced reproductive medicine
Challenges in implementing AI in Indian IVF centres include the difficulty of acquiring comprehensive, high-quality data, resistance to changing established workflows, potentially high implementation costs for local centres, and a lack of accurate research on AI’s efficacy in improving live birth rates. However, AI remains pivotal in advancing personalized reproductive medicine and enhancing pregnancy outcomes, emphasising the need for continued research and development in this field.
By proactively adopting technological advancements and promoting a culture of preventive healthcare, it significantly elevates healthcare outcomes, reduces cost, and enhances both the accessibility and quality of healthcare services. The potential impact of these technologies in shaping a healthier and more resilient India is immense, promising a future where healthcare becomes a universal right rather than a privilege.