The expansion of the cases in which Galician women can freeze their eggs in the public health system and the age up to which they can access medically assisted reproduction treatments has been an electoral commitment of Alfonso Rueda. After obtaining her first absolute majority, last February, she announced that one of the first health plans she would implement would be to allow all women between 30 and 35 years old who wish to preserve their eggs – for some reason whatsoever. and to extend the possibility of receiving treatments to achieve pregnancy up to 45 years of age.
This Monday, the Council of Xunta approved the plan, which establishes the timetable for the implementation of the measures. This possibility does not open up immediately, but will happen gradually. The first to have access to egg freezing due to the decision to delay motherhood for personal reasons will be women aged 34 to 35 in 2026. In 2027, the possibility will be extended to those aged between 32 and 34. and in 2028., to those who are between 30 and 32 years old, so that from that moment on the entire age group to which the measure will be applied is covered. The Minister of Health, Antonio Gómez Caamaño, who appeared alongside the President, Alfonso Rueda, to explain the steps, ruled out the possibility of including women under 30 years old.
In egg freezing there is another extension. Until now, the possibility was given to women who were undergoing oncological and gametotoxic treatments, but now trans people and those who undergo surgical interventions which, without being oncological, present a proven risk of alteration of the fertility.
Regarding assisted reproduction, Gómez Caamaño indicated that Galician public health would begin to treat women between the ages of 40 and 45 – so far no treatment is carried out in public health from the age of 40 – also gradually. From March 2025, this possibility will be open to those who are up to 41 years old (without having reached their birthday). A year later, it will be extended to people up to 42 years old; In March 2027, those up to 43 years old will be included; in March 2028 those up to 44 years old; and at the end of the same year, everyone under 45 will be covered.
The counselor explained that there are also changes in the requirements compared to previous children. People who have undergone in vitro fertilization and have preserved oocytes or gametes will now be able to access a new treatment even if they have already had a child. And from March 2025, those who have already had a child naturally but who encounter difficulties with a second pregnancy will also be able to access basic medically assisted procreation techniques.
The funds allocated to the strategy amount to 7.8 million euros. Rueda emphasized that with this project, Galicia will be the community with a broader portfolio of this type of services. He pointed out that around 15% of couples use medically assisted procreation techniques to have children.
The councilor indicated that, given that the measure is “pioneering”, they do not have an estimate of the number of egg freezings or assisted reproduction treatments that the Galician Health Service (Sergas) will undertake. He assured that the entire plan would be financed by public resources. Among the immediate measures is Xunta’s commitment that the first consultation to undergo fertility treatment lasts a maximum of 60 days and that in vitro fertilization takes place within a period of no more than six months.
