Question : ART Clinics

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken note of violation of the regulatory guidelines for Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) clinics and if so, details thereof during the last three years, State/UT-wise;

(b) whether the Government has issued directives not to grant visas to Foreign Nationals intending to visit the country for commissioning surrogacy and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government has discussed the issue of ban on commercial surrogacy and unethical practices with the stakeholders including States;

(d) if so, the details and the outcome thereon; and

(e) the other steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure strict compliance of the guidelines issued by the Government to regulate surrogacy and ART clinics?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a): The National Guidelines for Accreditation, Supervision and Regulation of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) clinics in India were brought out in 2005. As per the guidelines, the State Governments/UT administrations are to regulate and supervise the functions of the ART clinics in the States/UTs in accordance with the said guidelines.

As per details available, the number of complaints received against ART clinics during the last three years are as under:

Number of Complaints

State Year
2013-14 2014-15 2015-16
Delhi 2 1 0
Maharashtra 3 0 0
Karnataka 0 1 0
Gujarat 0 0 1
Andhra Pradesh 0 1 0
Total 5 3 1
Source:
(i) ICMR,
(ii) PC&PNDT, GNCT of Delhi and
(iii) Government of Karnataka


(b): Ministry of Home Affairs, after consulting all stakeholders, in a communication dated 3rd November 2015 has issued directives to all concerned not to issue VISAs to Foreign Nationals intending to visit India for commissioning surrogacy.


(c) & (d): Department of Health Research, after due consultation with all stakeholders, in a communication dated 4th November 2015, addressed to all States/UTs has conveyed the policy decision of the Government not to support commercial surrogacy.


(e): The Department of Health Research (DHR) is in the process of finalizing the “Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016” which is likely to be placed before the Parliament shortly.