TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taipei City's Department of Health has unveiled plans to launch a pilot subsidy program for egg freezing in 2024, hosted at the Taipei City Hospital. This initiative is designed to cater to women under 40 diagnosed with cancer.
Eligibility for the subsidy hinges on a medical evaluation by their physician, determining the potential future impact on their egg quality, and recommending oocyte cryopreservation. Qualified recipients will be entitled to a one-time subsidy amounting to NT＄20,000 and an annual storage fee of NT＄3,000, spanning a four-year period.
The Department of Health has elaborated that this approach follows extensive consultations with medical experts, recognizing the complexities of universal egg-freezing subsidies.
Furthermore, the Department is cautious about creating a misconception that egg freezing is universally suitable for delaying childbirth through a broad program. It acknowledges that some individuals may be past a reasonable age for childbearing, rendering the procedure less beneficial.
According to the Department of Health, it is vital to note that egg freezing is an invasive medical procedure carrying inherent risks. Hence, subsidies are restricted from being extended to all women.
Moreover, the Assisted Reproduction Act mandates that frozen eggs must be used within the context of a heterosexual marriage. Individuals who are single or in same-sex marriages are precluded from availing themselves of this option.
Hsinchu and Taoyuan City stand out as the sole municipalities in Taiwan offering egg-freezing subsidies. In Hsinchu, residents aged between 25 and 40 are eligible to participate in the program, while in Taoyuan, women aged between 30 and 40 are eligible to apply for the subsidy.
This initiative aligns with the evolving demographic trends in Taiwan, where the average age at marriage has surged to a record high of 31.7 years, according to Ministry of the Interior data in June. Furthermore, there has been a significant increase of 1.7 times in the number of women over 35 giving birth in the past decade.