The Malka Ella Fertility Fund works closely with fertility centres all over South Africa whenever there is a Jewish couple in financial need. There is no pay-back obligation for any couple that receives funding.

In order to qualify for help by the Fund, certain criteria must be met:

• The couple must have been halachically married by a Rabbi in an orthodox Jewish ceremony
• The couple must complete a confidential financial assessment form to be reviewed by a committee
• The procedure needs to be performed in a halachically acceptable manner
• Once an application is approved, the Fund will pay the fertility centre directly for the treatment
• Inform the Fund immediately once a result is known
• A Malka Ella Rabbi is required to sign off the procedure

The fund is audited annually

Artificial Insemination (AI)
A procedure in which male seed is implanted into a woman’s reproductive tract to increase the chance of pregnancy. The Fund covers up to 6 attempts per couple, per year.

In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)
A method of assisted reproduction that involves the combining of an egg with male seed in a laboratory dish, hopefully resulting in an embryo which is then transferred into a woman’s uterus. The Fund covers up to 2 attempts per couple, per year.

Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT)
An assisted reproductive technology that involves combining eggs from a woman’s ovary with male seed and immediately returning this into the fallopian tube. The Fund covers up to 2 attempts per couple, per year.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
A laboratory procedure in which microscopic tools are able to introduce a single male seed into an egg. The Fund covers up to 2 attempts per couple.

Adoption, Egg Donation & Surrogacy
Each case is individually considered.

Genetic Screening
Due to the high number of genetic disorders present in the Jewish Community as well as the latest technology, we can now screen for and eliminate life threatening disorders. PGS and PGD

Pre-Genetic Screening (PGS)
The process of screening embryos to make sure they have the right number of chromosomes and to look for any structural abnormalities in the chromosomes.

Pre-Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)
This is used for diagnosis of a genetic disease in early embryos prior to implantation and pregnancy.

Conditions of receipt of funds from the Malka Ella Fertility Fund:

1. The Malka Ella Fertility Fund is a non-profit organization that was established to assist Jewish couples who are experiencing fertility problems and require medical procedures/adoption but are unable to afford such treatment.
2. Both parties must be Jewish and married in an orthodox shul.
3. The Johannesburg Beth Din has endorsed the fund and therefore all procedures covered by the fund, must have an acceptable halachic written approval from a recognized UOS appointed Rabbi and from Malka Ella appointed Rabbis.
4. The fund will only cover expenses if the woman has been to the mikveh before the required procedure as well as the procedure must be conducted in a halachically acceptable manner.
5. All applications will be considered in the light of individual circumstances and the financial position of the Fund at that point in time. Any decision will be made at the sole discretion of the co-ordinators of the Fund and all decisions are final.
6. Applicants for assistance will have to fill in a comprehensive form explaining their financial situation and motivating their application for financial assistance. In addition they may be required to answer questions from our financial committee.
7. The Fund will only consider financial assistance for expenses that are directly related to fertility procedures and are not covered by their medical aid.
8. Expenses will not be paid once a positive result has been obtained on a pregnancy test.
9. All payments by the Fund will made directly to the doctor or hospital. Cheques will not be issued to private individuals or any other party.
10. Money will only be advanced to the doctor/hospital once we have received a written quote for the relevant procedure.
11. The Fund will cover only 2 IVF procedures in a 12-month period.
12. All information provided to the Fund will be handled in the strictest confidence.
13. Permission is given to Malka Ella and associated Malka Ella divisions to make contact with the treating doctor to discuss your case.
14. As soon as a result is known Malka Ella will be notified.