Hyderabad: Health, Medical and Family Welfare Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha on Friday directed officials to expand fertility services across government hospitals in Telangana. He also ordered mandatory monthly inspections of private fertility centres and warned of stringent action against institutions that violate statutory norms or exploit patients.
The minister issued the directions during a high-level review meeting at the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Telangana Secretariat. The meeting focused on expanding infertility care in government hospitals and strengthening regulation of private fertility centres.
He instructed officials to establish dedicated Fertility Outpatient (OP) Clinics in government hospitals. Experienced government gynaecologists will lead the clinics. Further, he asked interested specialists to conduct Fertility OP Clinics at least one day every week in addition to their routine maternal health services.
The minister also called for sustained public awareness campaigns on infertility. He said young people should understand the causes of infertility, the importance of timely treatment and the available medical options. Additionally, he directed officials to prepare proposals for establishing IVF centres in district hospitals on the lines of Gandhi Hospital and Petlaburj Hospital.
Fertility services to expand through district hospitals
The minister reviewed the performance of the IVF centres at Gandhi Hospital and Petlaburj Hospital. Officials informed him that the two centres had provided treatment to nearly 37,300 patients. Meanwhile, 23 women achieved confirmed pregnancies after IVF treatment. Another 510 patients underwent Intrauterine Insemination (IUI). Doctors are currently providing IVF treatment to 490 more couples.
Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare Dr. Sangitha Satyanarayana informed the meeting that Telangana has 464 registered fertility centres. She said authorities had issued notices to 60 centres for regulatory violations. Authorities permanently cancelled the licences of two centres. They also suspended the licences of nine others.
Finally, the minister directed officials to enforce quality standards, transparency and ethical practices at all private fertility centres. Referring to the incident at Srishti Fertility Centre, he said officials must prevent similar incidents. He also instructed inspection teams to inspect every fertility centre every month. He said authorities must initiate stringent legal action against centres that violate regulations or exploit patients.