Hyderabad: Shaken by the exposure of a fertility racket that continued operations despite earlier arrests, the Telangana govt is preparing to launch a high-level inquiry into the enforcement of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act and the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act. The move comes amid serious concerns that glaring loopholes in oversight have allowed unlicensed and unethical fertility practices to flourish unchecked, particularly in Hyderabad.The state currently has 381 registered in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) clinics, with 157 concentrated in Hyderabad alone, making it a key hub for fertility services. The upcoming inquiry will focus on identifying lapses in monitoring and ensuring that fertility and surrogacy procedures meet legal and ethical standards.Authorities say preliminary checks have already revealed troubling irregularities. In the most recent case, the fertility clinic at the heart of the scandal was found to be operating without a valid licence, and shockingly, no action had been taken against fake doctors associated with the operation. “We must find out how these clinics are slipping through the cracks,” a senior health official said, adding that a thorough, state-wide investigation is imminent.In response, the health department is preparing to launch a special enforcement drive across the state to scrutinise all clinics offering IVF and surrogacy services. These centres fall into four regulatory categories: Sperm and egg banks, assisted reproductive technology (ART) centres, IVF clinics and surrogacy centres.At present, only two IVF centres operate within govt hospitals, raising concerns about the lack of public sector alternatives and the urgent need to regulate the burgeoning private fertility market more tightly.Officials have urged couples considering fertility treatments to thoroughly verify a clinic’s credentials. Prospective patients should demand evidence of registration, legal compliance, and valid licensing to ensure the safety and legitimacy of their treatments.The upcoming inquiry, officials say, will not only aim to clean up the system but also send a strong message that violations in this sensitive sector will not be tolerated.
