Shillong: A fertility clinic in Guwahati is facing potential restrictions after mishandling a 50-year-old woman’s request for assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment. The Meghalaya High Court expressed deep concern over the Institute of Human Reproduction’s handling of the case, where a woman challenged the age limit of 50 years set by the ART Regulation Act, 2021. The court sternly criticized the institute’s actions, stating, “We take a very serious view of the matter.” Initially, the institute instructed the patient to obtain a court order for the procedure, but later claimed it lacked the necessary facilities to even assess her case. This contradictory stance has raised serious questions about the institute’s competence and commitment to patient care.
Adding further to the controversy, the institute, in a letter dated February 5th, revealed that it does not possess a “multispecialty team” required for the medical board, despite specializing in mother and child services. This admission has severely undermined the institute’s credibility and raised doubts about its ability to provide safe and effective ART treatments.
In light of these serious concerns, the court has directed the head of the institute to submit an affidavit detailing the safety and feasibility of performing the procedure on the petitioner. The affidavit must provide a comprehensive assessment of the patient’s medical condition and the potential risks and benefits of the proposed treatment. Failure to provide a satisfactory response within the stipulated timeframe could result in severe consequences for the institute, including a potential ban on all ART procedures. The case will be heard next on February 20, 2025.