Doctors and touts involved in illegal organ transplantation will be put behind bars for 10 years, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said after the union cabinet approved his ministry’s proposal to amend the Transplantation of Human Organs Act.
Azad said, There was a need for amendment. We are happy that the cabinet has approved the proposal.
Health Minister added, After amendment, it will become both patient friendly and stringent. Ten years of imprisonment will be handed over to doctors and touts involved in illegal organ transplantation.
Under the current provisions of the act, the maximum punishment is not more than five years.
he said earlier the act was only related to organs but after amendment it will take into account transplantation of tissues, bones and skin. Now grandfather and grandchildren are included in the scope of donor and recipient.