The first meeting of the State Supervisory Board under the Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy Act, as well as the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC-PNDT) Act, was held under the Chairmanship of Shri P Paiwang Konyak, Hon’ble Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Nagaland. The meeting took place at the Conference Hall of the H&FW, Nagaland Civil Secretariat, Kohima.
The board members included representatives from the Departments of Law and Justice, Social Welfare, and Health & Family Welfare, along with a pediatrician, radiologist, and gynecologist from the Nagaland Medical Council, the Naga Mothers Association, and Kohima Obs & Gynae. The discussions primarily focused on the Assisted Reproductive Technology Act and the Surrogacy Regulation Act 2021.
In his opening remarks, Shri Paiwang expressed satisfaction with the reconstitution of the Board and emphasized the importance of awareness about these Acts among the State and Allied Departments, particularly the Department of Law and Justice. He also requested that the Department consider the socio-cultural uniqueness of Nagaland while implementing the Acts.
The Board members discussed several key issues, including the implementation of the PC-PNDT Act in Nagaland, the Assisted Reproductive Technology Act, and the Surrogacy Regulation Act 2021. They decided that the District Appropriate Authority and Chief Medical Officers would be notified to conduct strict monitoring and inspections, particularly of ultrasound clinics, and to ensure timely reporting as per the provisions of the Act.
Proposals were also put forward to include In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) treatments under the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS). It was agreed that doctors providing IVF counseling from outside the State should obtain temporary registration under the Nagaland Medical Council (NMC) and that districts should be notified for the registration of hospitals performing IUI procedures.
The board decided to initiate stern actions and penalties against any medical establishments found violating the Acts. The State Supervisory Board also highlighted the need for increased public awareness and sensitization regarding these Acts.