Minister of Health orders study to determine causes of infertility; Proposal to set up ART centers in medical colleges

Minister of Health orders study to determine causes of infertility; Proposal to set up ART centers in medical colleges

– Punjab State is one of the leading states to implement Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021 and Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021

– The competent authority of the state has already granted registration to 64 ART clinics, 26 ART banks and 16 surrogacy clinics.

Health and Family Welfare Minister of Punjab Dr. Expressing deep concern over the growing problem of infertility among married couples, Balbir Singh ordered a thorough study and survey to find out the possible causes of inability to conceive. Along with this, he also proposed to set up Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) centers in government medical colleges of the state.

The Health Minister was presiding over the first meeting of the state level board constituted regarding the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021 and the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 at Punjab Bhavan here today.

He said that these proposed ART centers in medical colleges would help couples overcome their infertility problem with medical procedures including in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and surrogacy.

The Health Minister said that Punjab is one of the leading states which have already enacted both the ART and Surrogacy Acts to prevent unethical practices related to issues of gender selection and exploitation of surrogates.

He said that with the implementation of these Acts, all fertility and surrogacy clinics in the state will be required to register to perform ART or surrogacy procedures for couples suffering from infertility problems.

It may be mentioned that the competent authority of the state has already given registration to 106 institutions including 11 ART clinics (Level 1), 53 ART clinics (Level 2), 26 ART banks and 16 surrogacy clinics.

Dr. Balbir Singh said that the main objective of implementing these Acts is to prevent such unethical practices apart from preventing over commercialization in ART clinics and surrogacy. He said that in case of violation of the provisions of the Act, there is a provision of severe punishment.

Meanwhile, principal secretary health Vivek Pratap Singh, who is the vice-chairperson of the board, besides MLA Moga Dr. Amandeep Kaur Arora, MLA Rajpura Dr. Neena Mittal, MLA Amritsar East Dr. Jeevanjot Kaur and Director Health Services Dr. Adarshpal Kaur was present. Among other officials present in this meeting, Dr. Director Family Welfare. Hitinder Kaur and Assistant Director Health and Family Welfare Department Punjab Dr. Vineet Nagpal was also present.