New Delhi: Stringent measures would be taken to prevent illegal sale and purchase of human organs, including kidneys, Health and Family Welfare Minister A Ramadoss assured the Rajya Sabha today (Dec 3, 2004).

Responding to supplementaries during Question Hour, he said that the Centre has set up a Committee in September this year under directions of the Delhi High Court to look into various aspects relating to transplantation of human organs and to suggest corrective measures.

Admitting that the present law was not enough to check the offence, the Minister said on the basis of the report of the Committee, expected in January 2005, "more stringent measures" would be taken.

Ramadoss said that recently five cases of alleged illegal transplant of kidneys in hospitals located in Delhi had come to the notice of the Government and the Delhi Police in this connection arrested ten persons. One case has also been reported from Maharashtra, he said.

He said that an organ bank had been set up at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).