Israel is a country where everyone seems to know everyone and consequently even people you barely know seem to feel as though they are part of your family. And even though this can be disconcerting at times, it can also have its benefits. Here is a personal example that occurred to me just last week.
- Israel beach1yen / Travel Photos / CC BY-NC-SA
I have been a member of the same gym for a number of years and usually go for a workout at 5:45 a.m. when the gym opens. Consequently I see the same insomniacs in the shower most mornings. A fellow gym-goer was inquiring of my knee problem and I told him I’d just canceled my planned arthroscopy. An elderly gentleman overhearing the conversation asked about my problem and then informed me his son-in-law works at a company developing artificial cartilage. To cut a long story short, I‘m meeting the doctor in charge of clinical trials tomorrow; less than one week after the initial conversation.
So when you are part of this large family, this incredibly bright, motivated yet nosey family you can fully appreciate what it would be like to be without a family. And unfortunately that is the position of so many single women whose biological clock is ticking and married women who have not had the good fortune to bring offspring no matter how hard they try. It is for this reason that IVF Israel is the perfect destination for those in need of the bets in IVF treatment.
Although the first IVF pregnancy was reported in Australia in the 1970s, it is Israel that has become a world leader in the field. With a highly educated population replete with doctors and scientists and a culture that values life above all other things this is not surprising. In fact, the Israeli government subsidizes every single woman to bring up to two children via IVF. This, together with its record of brilliant scientific achievements has resulted in Israel developing an expertise in this field that is unmatched by most every other country. Coupled with the excellent medical facilities, this results in very high success rates and the provision of the best medical care.
Another consideration when contemplating IVF treatment in Israel is the cost. Although money should not be a consideration when looking to establish a family, economic considerations do come into play. Although Israel is a first world country with first rate medical facilities, its mean gross monthly wage is approximately USD2,300. When removing factors that skew this number, a more accurate median figure is probably closer to USD1,800. And tax rates in Israel are relatively high.
The result of this is that the average Israeli, although not living in poverty, cannot afford to U.S., U.K., or German standards. Consequently, medical care is relatively cheap in comparison to these countries and that is also the case with IVF treatment. It doesn’t seem like a bad deal – the best treatment that money can buy for a price that you can afford.
Israel is deemed to be the Holy Land by the three major monotheistic religions – Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Perhaps once your dreams are fulfilled in Israel you will also believe that God had something to do with it.
I had heard that Israel was a hot spot for IVF tourism, and now I know why. I am sure that the low costs combined with a high quality of care sounds like a good mix to many people who struggle to afford an IVF cycle in the states.
Great post! One thing to take into consideration when looking into taking an ‘IVF vacation’ is to look into what recourse patients have if things go awry somehow. In the USA patients have clear cut rights, which may vary depending on the country you are having your medical treatment. So like any big decision, do your homework and know what you are getting into