Patient: Dr. Malpani, can I be honest with you? I’ve been doing a lot of reading about IVF clinics in India, and I keep coming across articles about shady practices—kickbacks, embryo mix-ups, fake surrogacy claims. It’s disturbing. Why isn’t anyone stopping these clinics?
Dr. Malpani: I’m so glad you asked. Most patients never think to question what goes on behind the scenes in an IVF clinic, but your concern is entirely valid. Sadly, corruption does exist in our field—and it persists not just because of the bad actors, but because good doctors remain silent.
The Real Reason IVF Corruption Persists
Patient: But if other doctors know these things are happening, why don’t they speak up?
Dr. Malpani: That’s the heart of the problem. Many ethical doctors do know what’s going on, but they prefer to turn a blind eye. They’ll say, “It’s not my business what my colleague is doing,” or “Why should I get involved?” Worse, if a doctor dares to call out unethical behavior, it’s labeled as “medical jousting”—a term used to discourage professionals from publicly criticizing their peers.
This code of silence allows corruption to fester unchecked.
Kickbacks, Commissions, and Conflicts of Interest
Patient: What kind of corruption are we talking about? Just kickbacks?
Dr. Malpani: Kickbacks are a big part of the problem. Many doctors receive commissions for referring patients to specific IVF clinics—without disclosing this conflict of interest to the patient. In some cases, doctors push patients toward expensive, unnecessary procedures just to increase revenue.
Other unethical practices include:
- Swapping donor eggs or sperm without consent
- Falsifying lab reports or embryo quality
- Charging for services never actually provided
Each of these is not only unethical but also a violation of patient trust—and in many cases, the law.
Why Silence is Dangerous
Patient: I thought doctors were supposed to report malpractice. Isn’t there a code of ethics?
Dr. Malpani: You’re absolutely right. According to the Medical Council of India’s Code of Ethics, doctors are duty-bound to report unethical conduct by their peers.
But in practice, very few do. Most doctors remain silent for fear of being labeled troublemakers. Some don’t want to antagonize influential colleagues. Others justify their silence by saying, “I didn’t do anything wrong myself, so I’m not responsible.”
But let me be clear—acts of omission are just as unethical as acts of commission. When you see something wrong and choose to do nothing, you become complicit in the harm that follows.
What Happens When Doctors Don’t Speak Up?
Patient: What’s the consequence of this silence?
Dr. Malpani: The cost is paid by everyone—especially patients. When good doctors don’t call out the bad ones, unethical clinics continue to operate with impunity. Patients are misled, manipulated, and sometimes harmed.
Eventually, the government steps in with blanket regulations—often as a knee-jerk reaction. That’s what happened with the PNDT Act, which was created to prevent female feticide through misuse of ultrasound technology. Instead of targeting the guilty, the law burdened all doctors, including ethical ones, with heavy paperwork and legal risks.
The same risk now looms over IVF clinics. Because the industry has failed to regulate itself, the government is cracking down with the new ART and Surrogacy Acts. While these laws are well-intentioned, the implementation may end up punishing honest clinics too.
Why Doctors Must Find Their Voice
Patient: But isn’t it risky for a doctor to speak out?
Dr. Malpani: Yes, it does take courage. Whistleblowers often face backlash, isolation, and even legal threats. But what’s the alternative? To let fraud continue unchecked? To allow patients to suffer while we protect our own reputations?
If we, as doctors, do not hold each other accountable, then we lose the moral authority to expect public trust. Silence is not golden when patient welfare is at stake. It’s cowardice.
What Can Patients Do?
Patient: I respect your honesty, but as a patient, I feel helpless. What can I do to avoid being caught in these unethical practices?
Dr. Malpani: I believe informed patients are the best protection against unethical clinics. Here’s what you can do:
✅ Ask for photographs of your embryos after transfer.
✅ Get a copy of your complete medical records.
✅ Insist on transparency. If something feels off, ask questions.
✅ Avoid doctors who promise 100% success or pressure you into expensive add-ons.
✅ Trust your instincts. If a clinic seems more focused on payment than patient care, walk away.
And if you do suspect something unethical, report it to the relevant authorities. The more patients speak up, the harder it becomes for fraud to hide.
Doctors Need to Be Braver
Patient: I wish more doctors were like you, willing to speak the truth.
Dr. Malpani: Thank you—but the truth is, I’m just doing my duty. Silence in the face of unethical behavior is not neutrality—it’s complicity.
I believe it’s time for the medical community to reclaim its integrity. Let’s not wait for regulators to fix what we should have fixed ourselves. Let’s start by having difficult conversations, calling out unethical behavior, and putting patient welfare first—not our egos, not our profits, and not our colleagues’ reputations.
For direct advice, you can get information to any query related to your IVF treatment from my Twin instantly at https://www.drmalpani.com/chat-w-chatbot/index.htm