‘Srushti’ surrogacy racket fallout: Telangana cracks down on illegal fertility clinics across state
Preliminary inputs suggest that some clinics are charging anywhere between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 30 lakh per couple
By Sistla Dakshina Murthy
Representational Image
Hyderabad: Telangana Health Department has launched a state-wide crackdown on illegal surrogacy and fertility clinics, following shocking revelations of malpractice at the ‘Srushti’ Surrogacy Centre in Secunderabad and an unlicensed gamete collection clinic operating nearby.
Officials suspect a widespread network of unregulated centres collecting lakhs of rupees from desperate couples under the guise of infertility treatments.
Statewide Audit ordered
Authorities have begun efforts to identify and verify surrogacy and IVF centres operating without registration. Currently, Telangana has 381 officially registered fertility centres, 158 of them within Greater Hyderabad limits. However, officials believe several unregistered centres are functioning secretly and exploiting vulnerable couples.
Unregulated clinics charging lakhs
Preliminary inputs suggest that some clinics are charging anywhere between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 30 lakh per couple, depending on the treatment offered. Services such as IUI (Intrauterine Insemination), IVF (In-Vitro Fertilisation), and surrogacy (Assisted Reproductive Technologies - ART) are being offered without proper approvals or adherence to legal protocols.
Task Forces for Hyderabad and beyond
Senior health officials have directed teams led by DM&HOs to intensify inspections in Hyderabad. The focus is not only on identifying unregistered clinics but also on auditing the procedures of registered ones, ensuring they comply with ART guidelines and do not violate patient rights.
The drive will also cover other major urban centres like Warangal and Karimnagar, where a surge in fertility centres has been observed. Authorities are especially concerned about illegal operations in semi-urban and rural districts, often away from media and legal scrutiny.
Commissioner warns of Legal Action
Health and Family Welfare Commissioner Sangeeta Satyanarayana chaired a high-level meeting and reviewed the current situation. She instructed officials to carry out immediate inspections and assured that any malpractice uncovered during the special drive would lead to strict legal consequences.
Government sets focus on patient safety
The health department has reiterated its commitment to regulate fertility treatments and protect patients from commercial exploitation. With the booming demand for reproductive solutions, authorities now aim to bring accountability, transparency, and legal oversight to this sensitive sector.
