The Ministry of Civil Affairs Sunday initiated a nationwide inspection into non-government orphanages to address safety hazards in the wake of a fire at a privately-run foster home in Henan Province which killed seven children Friday.

Yuan Lihai, the foster mother who took in more than 100 children in Lankao, Henan, and became the center of public debate after the fire, was hospitalized due to high blood pressure late Saturday.

Yuan was sedated for most of Sunday and then as she came to her senses reporters caught her first words on tape - she asked the whereabouts of her adopted children.

The fire on Friday, which killed seven and injured one, has aroused controversy over the legitimacy of her adoptions and doubts over her motives. Local authorities in Lankao, who were aware of Yuan's situation and after the fire initially accused her of illegally adopting children, later admitted they were guilty of lax supervision and management.

"I'd gladly be arrested and take a bullet if I was selling children," Yuan was quoted by Xinhua as saying. She explained that she did give away several kids to others when she was unable to take in so many, but she did not ask them for money.

"My mother adopted so many children out of goodwill and then ended up being questioned by the public. I would rather she had never done so," Du Peng, a 26-year-old son of Yuan's, told the Global Times Sunday.

Currently there is no evidence showing Yuan has sold adopted children, Li Meijiao, deputy director of the civil affairs bureau in Lankao, told the Global Times.

The Ministry announcement ordered authorities nationwide to inspect individuals, organizations and foster centers that adopt children. It also ordered them to crack down on illegal, profit-oriented adoptions, and make sure children are safe and well looked-after. The government will sign contracts with those willing and able to take in orphans, and those who are unable to will have to send children to government-owned facilities, the announcement said.

The local civil affairs bureau promised they would enhance the supervision of child adoptions. "We will publicize the adoption law to enhance people's awareness of legal adoptions, and keep track of abandoned orphans to ensure their safety," Li Meijiao said.

"It is time to amend the adoption law given the fact that there are a lot more organizations and individuals like Yuan who have been sharing in the government's responsibility to offer social aid and welfare coverage to disadvantaged groups," Li Ying, a Beijing-based lawyer specializing in child welfare cases, told the Global Times.