Telangana authorities crack down on fertility clinic violations

Health authorities in Telangana have intensified enforcement of the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and Surrogacy Acts following inspections of 379 private fertility clinics. Officials identified regulatory deviations in 50 establishments, leading to the cancellation of registrations for two centers and the temporary suspension of permissions for nine others. The remaining errant facilities were issued show-cause notices.

Identified violations included operating at unregistered addresses, failing to maintain proper records, unauthorized staff changes, the absence of grievance cells, and failure to display registration certificates. Health Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha stated that the commercial exploitation of patients will not be tolerated and directed officials to audit medical inventories, including drug manufacturers and retail prices.

In addition to fertility clinic oversight, authorities are monitoring compliance with the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC-PNDT) Act. Between April and July, 2,600 inspections were conducted at hospitals and scanning units, identifying 37 violations. Meanwhile, state-run IVF services at Gandhi Hospital and Petlaburj Maternity Hospital have served nearly 40,000 patients through various procedures.