Severe Gamete Donor Shortage Causes Long Waits at Tampere University Hospital
Tampere University Hospital (Tays) is facing a critical shortage of gamete donors, leading to extended waiting times for fertility treatments in the Pirkanmaa region. The issue has persisted for an extended period, with no immediate resolution in sight, according to hospital officials.
Waiting Times and Treatment Delays
Patients seeking fertility treatments at Tays are experiencing significant delays due to the donor shortage. Chief Physician Katja Ahinko (Yle) reports that those waiting for donated sperm currently face a waiting period of approximately 13–15 months. For egg cells, the wait ranges from nine months to about a year. Embryos, however, can be obtained more quickly, with an average queue of one to two months.
Ahinko emphasises that the shortage of donors is the sole reason for the long queues. "The only way to reduce the queue is to get more donors," she states (Yle). The Hormone and Infertility Clinic at Tays, which handles these treatments, will temporarily close in July and reopen in August.
Impact on Fertility Treatments
Tays performs about one-third of all public-sector fertility treatments in Finland, with strong results. In 2024, the hospital facilitated the birth of 628 children, of whom 139 were conceived using donated gametes (Ilta-Sanomat). While most fertility treatments use a couple’s own gametes, donated sperm or eggs are essential when this is not possible.
The hospital is actively seeking donors to address the shortage. To qualify, egg donors must be generally healthy women aged 20–35, while sperm donors must be healthy men aged 20–40. Potential donors are disqualified if they use tobacco products or have serious hereditary diseases in their family. All donors undergo thorough medical examinations before being approved (Ilta-Sanomat).
Compensation for Donors
From the beginning of 2026, the government will increase the inconvenience compensation for egg donors from €100 to €350 (Yle). This adjustment aims to encourage more individuals to donate, though its impact on the current shortage remains to be seen.