TMC`s health department has been directed to continue strict enforcement to ensure no violations occur. Representational pic
Taking serious note of shocking revelations in an illegal egg selling racket linked to Badlapur, Thane Mayor Sharmila Pimpalkar has directed the civic administration to conduct thorough inspections of all IVF and sonography centres across the city.
The directive comes after links to similar malpractices surfaced in a prominent hospital in Thane, prompting swift action by the civic body's health department. The hospital's approval for its unauthorised IVF centre was immediately cancelled, and three sonography machines were sealed during a raid on March 6.
Pimpalkar chaired a high-level meeting on Tuesday in her chamber, attended by Shiv Sena Group Leader Pawan Kadam and Chief Medical Health Officer Dr Prasad Patil. During the meeting, Dr Patil informed that poor women were lured with money to undergo injections for hyper-ovulation to produce extra eggs, which were then extracted and sold for lakhs of rupees to childless couples, often charging exorbitant amounts in the process.
The racket involved exploiting vulnerable women financially and coercing them into illegal egg donation, bypassing medical and legal norms.
In response to these grave irregularities, the mayor has instructed the health department to urgently inspect every IVF centre in the TMC limits and launch a special drive against illegal sonography centres. She has also ordered regular monitoring of the probe, with weekly reports to be submitted by the administration. The health department has been directed to continue strict enforcement on similar lines to ensure no such violations occur.
"This is a serious matter affecting women's health and dignity. We will not tolerate any unauthorised or illegal activities in medical facilities," Mayor Pimpalolkar emphasised.
The broader egg donation racket first came to light in Badlapur (Thane district), with threads extending to Thane city, highlighting violations of fertility laws and exploitation of economically disadvantaged women.
The TMC has assured that the crackdown will be comprehensive to safeguard public health and prevent commercial exploitation in reproductive technologies.
