- Health Minister Prakash Abitkar Makes Announcement in Legislative Assembly
MUMBAI, July 1
The state government is taking stringent measures to curb malpractices at sonography and IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) centers, human egg trafficking, and violations of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act. Public Health and Family Welfare Minister Prakash Abitkar made a significant announcement in the Legislative Assembly today, stating that a new law will soon be introduced to enable direct action under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against those found guilty of such offenses. He further informed the House that a special crackdown has been launched across the state, utilizing specialized teams to inspect sonography and abortion clinics.
The Health Minister made these remarks while responding to a question raised by Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Abu Azmi regarding action against unauthorized and unregulated IVF centers operating in the state.
New Guidelines for IVF and Cesarean Deliveries
Minister Prakash Abitkar noted that the government has observed an unnecessary rise in IVF treatments and Cesarean section deliveries across the state without any concrete medical necessity. To check this commercial malpractice and ensure that IVF treatments are utilized solely based on genuine medical requirements, the government is drafting a strict set of regulations. Legal and criminal action will be initiated against doctors, associated staff, and hospital managements who violate these rules to exploit patients for profit.
Medical Licenses of Egg Trafficking Doctors to Be Revoked
Referring to the shocking human egg trafficking racket recently uncovered in Badlapur and Ambernath, the Minister stated that the police have already arrested the medical practitioners involved. The process to permanently revoke the medical licenses (registration) of these doctors, who have tarnished the medical profession, is currently underway. He issued a stern warning that any doctor found guilty of human trafficking or medical malpractice in the future would face uncompromising action.
