Maharashtra Health dept to formulate new guidelines on surrogacy

Of these, the most number of centres are in Mumbai (203), followed by Pune (135) and Nagpur (70). However, not all of these are registered with the government.

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Meanwhile, in Mumbai, the BMC is starting a parallel initiative to register all such centers for better monitoring.

Sawant said that the “surrogacy business is thriving amidst regulatory gaps” and has now asked for framing of guidelines at the state level to ensure uniform IVF practices across the state. While the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill is ready, it has still not been passed.

According to assistant director, Directorate of Health Services, Dr Archana Patil, the guidelines will include clauses that have been missed by the ART Bill. In the discussion, it was decided that guidelines will stipulate that an IVF center should have the required infrastructure, qualified personnel, space and equipment to conduct medical procedures. A recent circular by the ICMR has banned surrogacy for foreign national couples in India.

”We want a regulatory framework to be put in place. The idea is to come up with guidelines that would define an ideal IVF module,” said Sawant. An expert committee will now be formed by next week which will sit together to frame guidelines. “This will work in support to the ART Bill once it is passed,” added Patil.