Infertility: Unified Health System and the fundamental right to family planning

Abstract

The World Health Organization considers infertility a global health problem to be addressed through
assisted reproduction procedures. Given this, the question arises as to whether the Unified Health
System has supported infertile people to perform the in vitro fertilization technique as a means of
realizing their fundamental right to family planning. The hypothesis that access to in vitro fertilization
is difficult and limited is confirmed, with few public centers offering totally free treatment. Lack
of adequate investment, shortage of professionals, and long waiting lists also demonstrate the
helplessness suffered by infertile people. Although judicialization has sometimes been used, it is not a
widely effective solution. Ensuring universal access requires creating comprehensive public policies and
efficiently incorporating assisted reproduction services into the Unified Health System.