In a bid to crack down on illegal trade of organs, government on Thursday introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha to regulate private hospitals and clinics across the country.

The Clinical Establishments Bill, which was introduced by union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, envisages setting up a national council and state councils and for regulating such establishments.

It would ensure that no person runs a clinical establishment unless it has been duly registered in accordance with the prescribed procedure.

For registration and continuation of operation, every establishment will have to prescribe to the minimum standards of facilities and services, the minimum number of personnel and provisions for maintenance of records and reporting.

The establishments will have to provide such medical examination and treatment as may be required to stabilise the emergency medical condition of any individual who comes or is brought to the facility.