Egg Freezing & IVF in Nepal

Nepal has been practising alternative medicine for the past thousand years. Its medical tourism strengths are in yoga and spiritual medicine with meditation. In hospitals, the most sought-after medical science treatments are knee transplants, cosmetic and dental procedures, and cardiac surgery. Facilities are world-class due to major infrastructure and technological progress. When coupled with the allure of the country's geographical wonders, medical travellers, especially those seeking fertility treatments, are keen to explore Nepal as a medical destination.

Healthcare is affordable in Nepal. It is 30% cheaper than in Western and European countries. There are also many doctors and paramedical staff who graduated from the Nepal Medical College. Others have been educated abroad at Nanjing Medical University in China and Lady Harding Medical College in India. The language barrier is not an issue because many doctors and medical staff have a good working knowledge of English, especially in international hospitals such as the Grande International Hospital.

What To Do in Nepal During Your Medical Vacation

Nepal is a haven for mountain climbers and trekkers from around the world. The Himalayas and the Everest Base Camp are the two major things to tick off the bucket list. After seeing the mountains, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Dunbar Squares of Kathmandu Valley. Each of the three Squares has its unique collection of temples, museums, monuments, and other architectural wonders. Two stupas you need to see are the Swayambhunath Stupa and Bouddhanath Stupa. Perfect for post-medical procedures, simply relax with the view of Pokhara City of Lakes. If you want to take it up a notch or two, you can go paragliding and boating too.

Nepal is a safe country. Tourists say that Nepalese men are very respectful to LGBTQ+ and solo female travellers. If you are going up the mountains for a trek, hire a guide to ensure safety. Ask for a Diamox prescription so that you can prepare yourself for possible altitude sickness during your trek. Avoid trekking during monsoon season and snow storms and read landslide safety tips. When you hear a bell, know that a yak is running near you so stay out of its path. When in the city, do not stop to take photos during protests. Simply watching an ongoing protest is a cause for deportation for tourists.

You will arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Nepal. The airlines operating here are Nepal Airlines, Buddha Air, Himalaya Airlines, Saurya Airlines, Simrik Airlines, Yeti Airlines, Sita Air, Shree Airlines, and Tara Air. All of these airlines have domestic flights since only Nepal Airlines and Himalaya Airlines service international flights. When getting around the country, buses are the most common form of transportation. Better take tourist buses over local buses for a more comfortable air-conditioned ride. You can also ride metered taxis and rickshaws.

The official language is Nepali. It is spoken by 45% of the population. There are also other recognised official languages, such as Maithili, Bhojpuri, Tharu, Tamang, and Newari. English is widely spoken in Kathmandu, especially in business settings. It is also taught in schools so many Nepalese have a working knowledge of English.

Social Attitudes Towards Fertility Treatment

An article reported that there is a growing number of Nepalese seeking infertility treatments at fertility centres, especially among local couples with husbands who have worked abroad. One IVF doctor said that 45% of her infertile patients are young men who have worked in the Gulf and have zero to low sperm count. Another IVF doctor said that 80% of infertile patients who come in at the infertility clinic he works in are patients that fit the same profile as above.

The numbers are also supported by a study about the risk factors and pattern of semen abnormality in male partners of infertile couples in Eastern Nepal. The study reported that 46% of Eastern Nepalese men were or are migrant workers in the Gulf. It further revealed that stressful housing (they usually live in cramped dorms), poor working conditions, extremely hot weather, and long sexual abstinence due to staying away from their families for years account for male infertility problems. IVF doctors also attribute unhealthy lifestyles and poor nutrition as additional factors that affect fertility.

Many Nepalese couples are also pressured by their families and communities to have children. Men feel they have to get their female partners pregnant within their short 60-day vacation every couple of years. Some are even gone for as long as a decade so they miss the prime years of high pregnancy outcomes. Many Nepalese migrant workers also struggle to afford the IVF treatment cost.