Czech Republic puts itself on map with ‘fertility’ holidays
(wz) This soulless eastern industrial town not far from the Czech border with Slovakia is the source of life for many women, who travel here to have test tube babies at private fertility clinics.
With its low costs and accommodating legislation, the Czech Republic has become one of Europe’s top destinations for foreigners seeking artificial insemination treatments.
“We get Americans, more and more Russians, Scandinavians, Germans, Austrians, and even groups of Israelis accompanied by a rabbi,” said Ladislav Pilka, a pioneer of in vitro fertilisation during the communist era and head doctor at the Zlin clinic.
Just like those seeking out cheaper dental care or cosmetic surgery in eastern Europe, would-be parents find out about the fertility clinic by word of mouth or through Internet “chat” forums, blogs or specialist sites.
Some companies even propose “in vitro fertilisation” holidays, one to three-week trips according to the type of treatment, with optional visits to regional tourist sites and spa therapy.
Zlin, better know in the past as the capital of Czech shoe production, won out as a destination “above all, because of the price,” explained 33-year-old Jennifer, an American who declined to give her last name. She wanted to boost her chances of having children while combining the medical treatment with “real holidays”. more…
From: »AFP«