Times
of India,
Purnima Goswami Sharma
INFERTILITY Friends --- India’s first support group
for infertile couples completes its first year of existence
on Saturday. Founded by well-known gynaecologist and infertility
specialists Anjali and Aniruddha Malpani, it is a registered
charitable trust.
The group allows infertile couples to sit together
and discuss their problems and derive strength from
their collective experiences.
In many cases, infertility leads to personal suffering
and distress. The misery, however, is suppressed. The
main reason behind the lack of public support for infertile
couples is the widespread ignorance about the causes
of infertility and its treatment, and low self esteem
and reluctance on the part of the couples, which does
not allow them to talk about their experiences.
“We realised only medical treatment is not enough,”
says Anjali Malpani. “Infertile couples are socially
isolated and emotionally very vulnerable. They need
a forum where they can get together and talk to people
in the same predicament as themselves, so as to help
them tide over this crisis.”
“We started Infertility Friends on an experimental
basis in 1994 --- but it began functioning as a forum
only in 1998, thanks to some dedicated and enthusiastic
couples, “She adds. “We have not only our
patients, but patients of other doctors too attending
the meetings, and some of them are from other cities
as well, and are in Mumbai for treatment.”
Radhika T (name changed on request), a member of Infertility
Friends and expecting her first baby after 12 years
of marriage, says, “We discuss different treatments,
expenses, and even doctors --- it helps to talk to others
undergoing similar problems. We exchange our telephone
numbers and often talk to each other.
Luckily I have a supportive family, but some couples
have to deal with family and friends who do not understand
their problems and this makes them angry and frustrated.
Often mothers-in-law and sisters-in-law are invited
to the meeting so that they too can be helpful in their
own way.”
Sandip Jhunjhunwala, co-ordinator of Infertility Friends
says, “In a relaxed atmosphere the couple can
get rid of negative feelings and by joining a support
group you realise that you are not alone in your misery.”
Says Anjali Malpani, “There is no membership
fee, and we meet on the last Saturday of every month
at Om chambers at Kemps Corner. The main goal of Infertility
Friends is to provide in depth, reliable medical information,
encourage self-education and offer emotional support
services to reduce anxiety, and help restore feelings
of self worth, optimism, positive attitude and control
over one’s life.”
Says Jhunjhunwala, “Infertility Friends plans
to actively lobby for recognition of infertility as
a medical problem by insurance companies to enable members
to benefit from Mediclaim and other medical insurance
facilities”. Adds Anjali Malpani, “We are
also writing to various pharmaceutical companies to
offer injections at subsidised rates to couples who
cannot afford the high costs of such treatments.”
Infertility Friends Voice Mail: 972
1834
Top
|