Nepal Police's Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has initiated an inquiry into egregious allegations against Hope Fertility and Diagnostic, a fertility clinic located at Babarmahal, Kathmandu. The clinic is alleged to have harvested eggs from minor girls illicitly without consent or proper medical supervision. The inquiry was opened after guardians of the victims filed formal complaints, which led the CIB to move speedily.
Five individuals connected with the clinic were arrested for initial questioning on Sunday and Monday. They have been released on bail since but are being investigated under compulsory attendance provisions, according to CIB spokesman SP Yubaraj Khadka. Initial investigations indicate that the clinic hired girls aged below 18 and administered hormone injections to stimulate egg production. The victims informed CIB authorities that they received hormone injections for 10 consecutive days. Following the process of stimulation, eggs were surgically removed from girls in so-called "black operations" without informed consent and appropriate medical supervision. The two minor girls reportedly were paid Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 each for the operation, and it raised serious doubts about child exploitation for financial gain.
The case has generated outrage, with activists alleging that it points towards possible violations of child protection law, medical ethics, and human rights. CIB is now collecting additional evidence to determine whether the clinic was involved in illegal egg trading and whether its practice contravened the National Health Professional Council standards as well as reproductive health legislation.
The government has assured it will conduct a proper inquiry and make sure the perpetrator, whoever is held guilty of child exploitation or violating medical laws, is brought to book. The incident serves as an indicator of how there should be stricter control over fertility clinics and better enforcement of laws protecting children within Nepal's health system.
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