TEHRAN –An international congress on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in infertility treatment is scheduled to be held from December 11 to 13 at Tehran’s Shahid Beheshti University.

The congress aims to discuss and showcase the latest achievements and technologies of artificial intelligence in infertility diagnosis and treatment.

AI-based predictive models for the success of infertility treatments,  embryo selection using machine learning, and ethical considerations in reproductive technologies are among the important topics of the congress.

In recent years, the integration of artificial intelligence into medical sciences has significantly improved the capability to diagnose, predict, and treat diseases.

Regarding infertility, AI can help enhance the effectiveness of treatment processes, increase diagnostic accuracy, predict treatment outcomes, and ultimately, improve the chances of success for infertile couples.

Infertility treatment services

Salamat Health Insurance Organization has increased the number of services for the treatment of infertile couples.

These services include 66 medicines and 29 items of medical equipment (which were previously 63 and 28 respectively), seven types of medical imaging services, such as diagnostic ultrasounds, and ovarian reserve testing for insured couples, IRNA reported.

Moreover, 16 services in genetic tests for women with habitual or recurrent abortion, and 45 services including fertility preparation are also covered by health insurance.

Those insured can receive outpatient services including medicine, tests, imaging services, physician office visits, and inpatient services.

In government centers, 90 percent of the treatment costs which are based on subsidized rates are covered, while in private centers, 90 percent of the costs which are based on free rates are covered.

Some 63,000 infertile couples have been registered so far in the health insurance system; more couples are expected to be registered and identified to be able to use the services.

The services include different items of medical equipment and drugs for special diseases, 56 laboratory services, 20 surgical services, four subspecialty treatments, and seven medical imaging services, Mohammad-Esmaeil Kameli, an official with the Organization, said in November 2023.

The health insurance organization covers nearly 45 million people in the country, of whom 12 million receive free health insurance coverage.

In 2022, the deputy head of the Organization said a total of 5 trillion rials (around $10 million) had been spent on infertility treatment and population growth in the first six months of the year which began on March 21.

Iran’s universal public health insurance scheme, known as Salamat Health Insurance, covers hospitalization, para-clinical, and outpatient services, including doctor’s visits, radiology, lab tests, and medication costs at any public hospital affiliated with the Ministry of Health.

Mehdi Rezaei stated that some 56 government centers, 44 private centers, and about 30 independent and non-independent public centers are contracting parties with Health insurance.

By a decree issued by President Ebrahim Raisi, the "Law on Family and Youth Support" approved by the Majlis (Iranian Parliament) was notified to the Ministry of Health and the Vice Presidency for Women and Family Affairs.

The Guardian Council approved the law on November 17 to implement a population growth and family support plan for 7 years to change the declining trend of childbearing.

The plan stipulates health insurance for infertile couples, providing services and facilities to working women, providing health and nutrition support packages to mothers and children, providing educational opportunities for student mothers, providing livelihood support to families, and providing ongoing medical services to pregnant women.

National center for AI

The National Artificial Intelligence Center was inaugurated on July 10 in a ceremony attended by the then Acting President Mohammad Mokhber.

Creating a complete and stable chain of ideas to market in AI, benefiting from AI for the economic progress of the country, planning to achieve a leading and sustainable position among the countries of the world, as well as identifying and nurturing talents in the field of AI are among the most important tasks of the national AI center, IRNA reported.

By allocating 50 trillion rials (some $100 million), the public and the private sector will develop the infrastructure for artificial intelligence operators in the next calendar year, which starts on March 21.

"Iran ranks 17th in artificial intelligence in terms of scientific production and publication of articles in the world, while ranks 78th in terms of its application in the world,” Rouhollah Dehqani-Firouzabadi, Vice President for Science, Technology and Knowledge-based Economy, said.

The importance of artificial intelligence cannot be denied. However, it’s hard to keep pace with the rapid [global] growth in the area, he added, IRNA reported.

He made the remarks while attending the first meeting of the national steering committee’s working group on artificial intelligence.

The main objective behind founding the national steering committee is to promote and develop AI in the country with the help of both the private sector and the public sector, he added.

MT/MG