Hyderabad, August 4, 2026: Telangana’s Total Fertility Rate has dropped to about 1.5 children per woman, much below the replacement level of 2.1. Nova IVF Fertility, Hyderabad hosted a panel discussion highlighting the growing need for transparent and ethical fertility care and educating what patients must know about ART Act (Assisted Reproductive Technology Regulation Act, 2021) before going through fertility treatments. Experts from fertility sector, law enforcement, medico-legal, and news media joined together to discuss how India can strengthen public trust in assisted reproductive technology (ART).
The panel discussion, “Beyond IVF: Building Trust, Ethics and Awareness in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART),” was moderated by Dr Hima Deepthi, Clinical Director and Senior Fertility Specialist at Nova IVF Fertility. The panellists were Assistant Commissioner of Police, Shri P Murali Krishna, Panjagutta Division, Hyderabad City Police, Ms Kaniza Garari, Executive Editor, Newsmeter, Dr Geetendra Sharma, senior Medico Legal Consultant and Mr Shobhit Agarwal, CEO, Nova IVF Fertility. The panellists noted that infertility affects nearly one in six couples, while Telangana’s Total Fertility Rate has declined to nearly 1.5, making fertility a crucial part of the public health conversation. They highlighted that patients must be equipped with the knowledge to identify registered fertility clinics, understand their rights under the ART Act, so that they can make informed decisions.
Assistant Commissioner of Police, Shri P Murali Krishna, Panjagutta Division, Hyderabad City Police said “IVF is an emerging field, and while technology continues to advance, we also come across instances of malpractice by a few unscrupulous players. The Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021 provides a robust legal framework to address and prosecute such illegal practices. I urge Nova IVF and all organisations in the fertility sector to prominently display information about the ART Act and actively create awareness among patients about their rights and the legal safeguards available to them.”
Shobhit Agarwal, CEO, Nova IVF Fertility, said, “The ART Act has brought in the much-needed regulations in fertility care. However, while the Act exists, patients must be aware of their rights, understand what ethical fertility care looks like and have access to transparent information before making treatment decisions. At Nova IVF Fertility, we strongly believe that building public trust in Assisted Reproduction requires a holistic collaboration between policymakers, regulators, law enforcement and the media. As ethical fertility care providers, it is our duty to empower the patients, beyond just providing them with fertility treatments”.
Medico-Legal in fertility treatments includes aspects like patient consent, donor regulations, compliances, age limits information is available to patients. Dr. Geetendra Sharma, Senior Medico-Legal Expert, said, “The ART Act is like a guidebook, that provides patients with important legal protections, including written consent, patient confidentiality, patient rights, transparent documentation and accountability from fertility clinics. Doctors practising assisted reproductive technology must also be familiar with the legal provisions governing ART, as ignorance of the law does not exempt them from legal liability or litigation. Every couple considering fertility treatments should understand their rights. An informed couple, is at a better position to make decisions such as choosing an ART compliant fertility clinic.”
Speaking on the media’s responsibility in shaping public understanding, veteran health journalist, Ms Kaniza Garari, Executive Editor, Newsmeter said, “As ethical journalists, it is our responsibility to separate the scientific facts on infertility versus the misinformation. Our core objective is also to reduce the stigma associated with infertility and discourage couples from relying on unverified information.”
The panel discussion organised by Nova IVF Fertility concluded that strengthening India’s assisted reproductive technology ecosystem requires more than regulatory compliance. As fertility increasingly becomes a public health priority, particularly in states like Telangana facing declining birth rates, the collective responsibility is to ensure that every couple has access to transparent, ethical, and quality fertility care, where they are aware on how to choose ART Act Compliant clinics.
Checklist for couples to know before going through fertility care
- Verify the clinic is ART Act-compliant and registered
- Understand your treatment, costs and realistic success rates.
- Receive medical, financial and emotional counselling.
- Read and sign informed consent.
- Expect privacy, transparency and ethical care.
About Nova IVF Fertility:
Nova IVF Fertility (NIF) is India’s leading and fastest-growing chain of fertility and IVF centres and part of Asia Healthcare Holdings – the country’s only platform dedicated exclusively to single-speciality healthcare. With a legacy built on trust, transparency, and clinical excellence, Nova IVF Fertility has enabled over 100,000+ clinical pregnancies through its advanced reproductive technologies. With a footprint spanning 120+ centres across 75+ cities, Nova IVF Fertility is committed to making world-class fertility care accessible, personalised, and outcome-driven for couples across India.
Backed by a team of internationally trained embryologists and IVF specialists with over a decade of experience on average, NIF brings global best practices and ethical standards to the heart of India’s fertility landscape. The centres offer a full spectrum of fertility treatments, including medical management, basic Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), and advanced ART procedures, all tailored to each couple’s unique journey.
For more information, please visit: https://www.novaivffertility.com/
