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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
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