Attending the meeting with the head of state were Deputy Prime Minister Natalya Petkevich, First Deputy Head of the Belarus President Administration Vladimir Pertsov, Healthcare Minister Aleksandr Khodzhayev, and Labor and Social Security Minister Andrei Lobovich.

Belarus has a program in place that provides one free attempt at IVF at the state’s expense, thanks to which 2,528 babies have been born over the past four years. As was reported to the president, this procedure is becoming increasingly sought after.

«The state has taken on certain responsibilities in this regard. I think it would be better if men took on some responsibility themselves,» Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked, indicating that the issue of IVF and the need for it is closely linked not only to women’s health but also to men’s health. «Women say that the topic of our discussion is extraordinary and significant. It probably is extraordinary. It probably is significant. But it is hard to imagine such a disgrace for men. Or perhaps I am mistaken?» the head of state said, framing the issue. «A woman cannot give birth, there is no one to father a child. We have already started coming up with certain artificial methods, let’s call them that, of in vitro fertilization.» 

«Essentially, IVF is one of the measures aimed at improving the demographic situation. But that is not the most important thing. The most important thing is that a woman wants to have a child, thank God,» said Aleksandr Lukashenko.

The president recalled that the healthcare minister had reported on the relevant topic in October 2025. «A decision was made to approach this issue as liberally as possible and in the interests of those who wish to have children. So that there are no bureaucratic quirks, like ‘this is allowed, this is not, these are moral and ethical principles’, or whatever else,» the head of state said.

A corresponding draft decree was prepared and submitted for the president’s consideration. As was reported to the head of state, certain proposed approaches «drew mixed reactions from specialists». This concerned primarily the moral and ethical aspects of performing the procedure.

«What kind of specialists are they? How many children have they given birth to, if they are women? And as for the men, how hard did they try to help the woman give birth?» Aleksandr Lukashenko asked.

«What moral and ethical principles are we talking about? Who do they come from? A woman wants to have a child. That makes her a saint for me. If we can’t do it the natural way (and I’m speaking broadly about men) then we must do everything we can to help,» the president emphasized.

In this context, Aleksandr Lukashenko recalled the example of Alla Pugacheva, who became the mother of two children using modern reproductive technologies. «And then everyone, from the church to the last person, started criticizing her. But I think she is great,» the president noted. «And they say the children are wonderful. That is what matters. Let her have a baby however she wants, as long as the children are healthy. But that’s already for the doctors to handle.»

The draft decree provides for offering women a second attempt at IVF free of charge (at state expense), while raising the age threshold for such an attempt to 49 years.

During the report, the issue of additional funding for performing these procedures was also addressed, with the estimated cost amounting to approximately Br6 million. Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized that allocating this amount is a manageable matter. Moreover, this could be done without placing an additional burden on the budget, by allocating funds from the presidential funds. «This I will give to the women. I will gather this money and give it to them. Can we not find Br6 million to make a woman happy?» the head of state asked rhetorically. «Tell me how much money is needed. Again, not from the budget. We will find the money.»

The key aspect that the president focused on is the definition of medical indications and contraindications for IVF, as well as the use of high technologies in this field.

«The most important thing is the woman’s health and her ability to give birth. That means she needs to be examined. So that our healthcare system and medical professionals can say with the highest degree of confidence: yes, it can be done,» the head of state said.

«I want to warn you right away: in this area, if there is anything we do not fully understand, we must bring in the most advanced technologies. The money is on me. The most advanced technologies,» Aleksandr Lukashenko continued. «If doctors have said that Petrova can undergo a first, second, third, or tenth IVF, then she must become pregnant and give birth with 100% certainty. If there are any cutting-edge super-technologies out there, tell me how much they cost. This is important during the Year of Belarusian Woman. And not only during this year. We are not going to just hide behind this year and that’s it.»

The president noted that the state must take all necessary measures and create all the conditions so that women can have children. «That is what matters, both for the Year of Woman and for the rest of her life. So let us proceed from that,» Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

«Of course, children are sacred. You know my attitude toward children. So I, as president, and you, as my subordinates, must do everything, and not only in the Year of Woman, to ensure that women are happy. What happiness is there for a woman if she has no children? Children are the happiness of our women,» the head of state emphasized.

Another aspect that was discussed during the preparation of the draft decree concerns the possibility for women to use their own embryos, stored in private centers, for the free IVF procedure. «We need to provide such an opportunity,» the president said.

The head of state believes that no additional restrictions should be created for women. This includes restrictions regarding the use of embryos. The main thing is a successful outcome of the IVF procedure and the birth of healthy children. Where the embryos were stored, whether at a medical center in Belarus or abroad, and regardless of its form of ownership, is not of fundamental importance.

«Even if they store them on the moon, that’s fine by me. This is the woman’s choice. She must decide for herself what to do and how to handle it,» Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized.

Following the discussion, the president set the task of preparing a comprehensive document: «This should not be a half-hearted solution to some issue. It must be a complete solution to all issues.»

As BelTA reported previously, the program offering one free IVF attempt has been in place in Belarus since 1 January 2021. It is available to married couples who have medical indications for the procedure, no contraindications, and where the wife is under 40 years of age.

The possibility of providing a second free IVF attempt has recently been under discussion. According to experts, this would be in demand because in Belarus the first IVF attempt results in pregnancy in approximately 40% of cases (one of the best rates in Europe). In the remaining 60% of cases, women would be interested in undergoing a second attempt.