How do you see the IVF and fertility care market in India evolving over the next 5 to 10 years, particularly with changing demographics and rising infertility rates?
IVF and fertility care is an area where the barrier to entry is relatively low, which is why we’re seeing a number of new standalone centers coming up — often led by individual doctors. While that helps with access, it also brings in a lot of variation in the quality of care.
What sets chains like Milann apart is the ability to offer standardised, evidence-based care across all our centers. It’s no longer about just one doctor treating both partners. We’re now seeing a much more specialised and holistic approach with andrologists, embryologists, counselors, and fertility specialists working together to create personalised treatment plans.
I believe the focus in this space is shifting from isolated practices to more process-oriented systems where outcomes are measured and improved continuously. We’re also beginning to integrate tools like AI and newer treatment protocols that help us support patients better not just clinically, but emotionally and logistically too. That’s the kind of shift we need to truly improve fertility outcomes in India.
With advancements in reproductive technologies, how can fertility providers balance innovation with affordability and accessibility, especially in tier 2 and 3 cities?
Technology has made fertility care more accessible whether it’s through video consultations or better diagnostics that can now be done remotely. What we’ll likely see is a growing presence of fertility services in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, especially when it comes to stimulation protocols, follow-ups, and diagnostic work.
That said, for core procedures like egg retrieval or embryo transfer, patients will still need to travel to Tier 1 cities or larger centers. But these visits are usually short, few hours. So, in many ways, we’re moving towards a hybrid model where the bulk of care can happen closer to home, and patients only travel for the most critical parts of treatment. It’s a shift that could really help reduce the emotional and logistical burden for many couples.
How can public-private partnerships or insurance frameworks help make IVF and related services more accessible?
We’re seeing a global shift where fertility care is becoming part of insurance coverage and India needs to move in the same direction. If more private insurers and large companies start supporting fertility treatments for both men and women, it would make a real difference in access and outcomes.
With rising health challenges, delayed parenthood, and increasing age-related infertility, this kind of support is not just helpful it’s essential. Fertility care is no longer a niche service; it’s a fundamental part of reproductive and family health.
When private companies step up and offer insurance coverage, it allows us as healthcare providers to offer better, more consistent care. It also sends a powerful message: that starting a family should not be out of reach, and that fertility health deserves the same attention and support as any other medical condition.
There’s increasing emphasis on ethical practices in fertility care, such as limiting unnecessary procedures. How important is transparency and counselling in building patient trust?
Transparency and trust are the most important pillars of fertility care and you build that through strong clinical protocols, consistent audits, and open communication. At Milann, this has been our foundation since day one.
Our labs are NAHL-accredited, and our centers are AHR-certified — a testament to the high clinical standards we uphold. But beyond certifications, what truly sets us apart is our culture of clinical collaboration. Every Tuesday, without fail since 2011, our doctors come together for clinical audits — reviewing each case in depth: the successes, challenges, and the decisions made. This culture of shared learning helps us continuously evolve, ensuring our patients receive care that is thoughtful, consistent, and grounded in best practices.
Importantly, we don’t look at IVF as the only solution. We are a fertility Specialists and that includes supporting natural conception, IUI, IVF, and everything in between. We offer services like genetic counseling, andrology, psychological support, and lifestyle guidance because we believe in treating the whole person, not just the condition.
Ultimately, our goal is to help couples make informed decisions and feel supported at every step. That’s what ethical, high-quality fertility care should look like.
With rising infertility rates in India, do you think fertility care should be more integrated into the country’s public health agenda? What kind of policy interventions could support this shift?
In India, while we’ve made significant strides in maternal care from six months of maternity leave to improved postnatal support fertility care is still not part of mainstream public health conversations. Many couples today are juggling demanding work schedules alongside fertility treatment, and that kind of pressure can seriously impact both emotional wellbeing and outcomes.
We need to start looking at fertility not just as a clinical issue, but as part of a larger ecosystem one that includes public health education, access to care, emotional support, and even urban infrastructure. For example, people need space to lead more active lifestyles, to reduce stress, to be more aware of how everyday habits like poor sleep, lack of movement, or constant screen time can affect their fertility. These aren’t just personal choices; they are public health concerns.
It’s not just about whether I can conceive or not. It’s about whether I live in an environment that helps me be healthy enough to become a parent. It’s a powerful shift in perspective—one that calls for reimagining health through better access to green spaces, active lifestyles, flexible workplaces, and cleaner air—all essential to our overall well-being.
Education is key. We need much stronger efforts to help people understand why infertility is on the rise from increasing maternal and paternal age, to stress, health conditions, and even socio-economic pressures. The cost of living, the cost of educating a child, these are very real factors influencing the decision to have children. And while many in the private sector are contributing significantly through taxes, the infrastructure that supports young families still falls short.
This isn’t about placing blame. It’s about looking at fertility through a wider lens. When we invest in healthier societies and informed citizens, we’re also investing in the future of families
What role do digital tools and AI play in improving patient outcomes and operational efficiency in fertility clinics today, and where do you see the biggest potential?
Digital tools and AI are starting to reshape fertility care in very practical ways. For patients, the biggest promise is in personalising treatment. Instead of using the same plan for everyone, AI can help doctors choose the right stimulation protocol, predict how someone will respond, and even decide between IVF and ICSI, all based on the patient’s own history and data. That can reduce the number of failed cycles and lower costs and stress.
Embryo selection is another major area. Embryologists grade embryos by looking at them under a microscope. Different labs or even different staff may grade the same embryo differently. AI can analyse images or time-lapse videos and provide a consistent, objective assessment, which can improve success rates and standardise quality across clinics.
AI also shows potential in sperm selection for ICSI. Andrologist picks what looks best under the microscope, but AI can analyse subtle patterns in sperm movement or structure that humans can’t easily see, helping choose the best sperm for fertilisation.
Digital systems already help clinics run more smoothly, managing appointments, consent forms, billing, and lab records. AI can help clinics find patterns in their data to make work smoother and get better results for patients.
Biggest potential
- Making embryo grading more accurate and consistent
- Tailoring treatment plans for each patient
- Improving sperm selection for ICSI
- Reducing human error and saving staff time
There are challenges too since AI needs a lot of good-quality data to be reliable, which smaller clinics might not have on their own. It also must be carefully validated so that doctors and patients can trust it.
Overall, AI isn’t about replacing clinicians, it’s about giving them better tools to make IVF more effective, efficient, and patient-friendly. The goal is to help more people achieve successful pregnancies with fewer cycles and less emotional strain.