Context:
Recently, a West Delhi-based hospital that mishandled an in vitro fertilisation procedure has been fined ₹1.5 crore for negligence and resorting to unethical practices by the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC).
Relevance:
GS II: Polity and Governance
Dimensions of the Article:
- About National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
- What is in-vitro fertilization (IVF)?
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission:
- Establishment: The commission was established in 1988 under the Consumer Protection Act of 1986.
- Head office: Its headquarters is located in New Delhi.
- Head: The commission is headed by a sitting or retired Judge of the Supreme Court of India or a sitting or retired Chief Justice of the High Court.
- Consumer Protection Councils: The Act requires the establishment of Consumer Protection Councils at the Centre, State, and District levels to promote consumer awareness.
- Central Council: The Central Council is headed by the Minister In-charge of the Department of Consumer Affairs in the Central Government.
- State Councils: The State Councils are headed by the Minister In-charge of Consumer Affairs in the State Governments.
- 3-tier structure: The commission follows a 3-tier structure consisting of the National Commission, State Commissions, and District Commissions to ensure the prompt resolution of consumer disputes.
What is in-vitro fertilization (IVF)?
- In-vitro fertilization (IVF) is an assisted reproductive technology (ART) in which fertilization of an egg and sperm takes place outside the human body.
- This complex procedure involves the retrieval of eggs from the ovaries and their manual combination with sperm in a laboratory to achieve fertilization.
- Following fertilization, the resulting embryo is then transferred to the uterus, where implantation into the uterine wall can lead to pregnancy.
-Source: The Hindu
