Minister Orders Monthly Checks on 464 Telangana Fertility Clinics and IVF Expansion
Telangana Health Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha has ordered the expansion of government infertility services to district hospitals and mandated monthly inspections of all 464 private fertility clinics across the state. The directive, aimed at curbing unethical practices, will scale up services based on the models of existing government IVF units established in 2024 at Gandhi Hospital and Petlaburj Hospital.
The orders were issued during a review meeting with Health Principal Secretary Dr. Christina Z. Chongthu, Health Commissioner Dr. Sangitha Satyanarayana, and members of the ART and Surrogacy State Supervisory Board.
Under the new plan, government gynecologists will run a dedicated fertility out-patient clinic at least once a week alongside their regular maternal health duties. The expansion of these services to district hospitals will be executed in a phased manner.
The state's existing IVF units at Gandhi Hospital and Petlaburj Hospital have treated approximately 37,300 patients since their establishment in 2024. According to health officials, 23 women have achieved confirmed pregnancies through IVF treatment at these centers, while 510 patients underwent intrauterine insemination (IUI) procedures. Currently, IVF treatment is underway for 490 couples.
To regulate the private sector, the minister ordered strict monthly inspections of all 464 registered private fertility clinics in Telangana. The state has already taken action against several violators, issuing notices to 60 clinics, cancelling the licenses of two, and suspending nine others.
During the monthly checks, inspectors are instructed to verify medicines, injections, manufacturers, maximum retail prices (MRP), and procurement records. Officials must also penalize clinics that fail to upload mandatory information.
Rajanarsimha referenced a past incident at the Srishti Fertility Centre, asserting that such cases must never be repeated. He also instructed the health department to launch public awareness campaigns about infertility, timely treatment, and available options.
