Bulgaria's new Health Minister, Stefan Konstantinov, announced additional resources for the "Assisted Reproduction Fund" in the amount of BGN 5 M.

Konstantinov spoke Thursday, during the official opening of the renovated diagnostics department at the Oncology Clinic in Sofia.

At the end of September, the "I Want a Baby" Foundation raised concern the Fund, better known as "In Vitro," is depleted and the Health Ministry had not transferred the money slated for it.

The fund grants up to BGN 5 000 to couples who have problems conceiving with each woman having the right to up to three attempts.

The additional BGN 5 M will guarantee the Fund's normal functioning until the end of 2010 and help shorten the long and constantly growing waiting list. There are currently 9 800 applications of which 6 421 have been approved.

The amount used up by the Fund since January is BGN 10 M. Thanks to the Fund 707 women have become pregnant and 363 babies have been born, which is a 27.7% rate of success equal to the EU average.

Konstantinov further said in order to improve its work the Fund will have a registry of clinics doing in vitro procedures with listed achievements as well as an internet page.

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