In Mumbai, more women are donating eggs for cash, driving India's IVF boom. Prabha,29,a beautician from Ulhasnagar,travels nearly two hours daily for 11 days for hormone shots,donating her eggs for Rs 85,000. Though Indian law says donations should be altruistic,financial need often dictates otherwise.
In clinic waiting rooms, women like Prabha share similar tales. Money, not altruism, is the motivator. “I’m graduate. I’m fair and tall,” she states, arguing for higher pay. Around 15 women wait for health checks or injections, each with her own story.
Siya, a divorcee from Mankhurd,fears her brother's future wife won't accept her. An agent got her into egg donation. She’s earned Rs 30,000 twice but wants more. Shaheen, 26, lost her call center job, now donates eggs,earning Rs 35,000 each time. Triveni, 27, from Chembur, turns to egg donation for financial independence as her husband’s income is unreliable.
These women are the unseen force behind India's IVF industry,which does 2.5 to 3 lakh cycles annually. Experts say donor eggs are needed for 10% of them. Yet, donor pay is much less than IVF costs, which can hit Rs 2 lakh. Demand for donors is rising fast . "India needs at least 20,000 egg donors a year," one expert says, as women delay childbirth,reducing ovarian reserves.
Recently,Maharashtra Police busted an illegal egg donation racket in Badlapur, arresting eight. Over 250 illegal egg retrievals found,one woman had 37. Vulnerable women,lured by Rs 30,000-40,000 offers, were taken to unauthorized places for hormone shots. Forged documents used to bypass ART Act rules .
Now,India's fertility community faces ethical questions. Dr . Kedar Ganla, an IVF specialist,notes law allows seven eggs per donor . But studies suggest 15 eggs boost IVF success. Fewer eggs mean fewer embryos, hurting success rates. Some think scandal will blow over,as 90% of ART clinics are registered under ART Act and a central donor database is underway.
However,a senior fertility expert says India must face donor compensation reality . In the UK,donors get £900; in the U.S.,up to $15,000. He calls for a similar system in India to fairly compensate women.
Prabha,sitting in clinic, isn't thinking about IVF industry ethics. She's focused on her daughter, wanting stable home. The hard truths of egg donation and financial struggles pushing women into it show a harsh reality in India's reproductive health scene.
(Names of donors have been changed.)
