Hyderabad: The Telangana health department has found 13 violations at seven hospitals during inspections of fertility centres across the state as part of an investigation into alleged illegal egg collection from women. Officials have issued show-cause notices to the seven hospitals.
Telangana Health Minister C Damodar Rajanarasimha has directed the officials to conduct a detailed investigation into the alleged illegal collection of eggs from women. The minister also ordered to take strict action against those found violating the rules.
Following Minister's directions, the health department formed special teams to inspect in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) centres across the state.
Officials said Telangana has 44 identified assisted reproductive technology (ART) centres, of which 27 have been inspected so far. The remaining centres are yet to be inspected.
The department said further action would be taken after examining records seized by the police and details obtained from the National ART and Surrogacy Registry. Officials have identified several women in connection with the case and are investigating the roles of doctors, IVF centres and middlemen in the alleged illegal activities.
As part of the investigation, health officials visited the National ART and Surrogacy Registry in New Delhi on November 6 and sought details of registered fertility clinics and ART banks in Telangana.
The health department said collecting eggs from women in violation of the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021, and its rules is a punishable offence. All fertility clinics and ART banks must be registered and follow the prescribed rules.
The department also cautioned women against accepting money or promises made by middlemen for undergoing unauthorised medical procedures. It urged the public to report any suspected illegal egg collection activities to the respective district medical and health officers.