Chennai: Union Health Minister Shatrughan Sinha on October 19 said that the Central government was ready to send the ailing Central minister, Murasoli Maran, for treatment abroad, if the situation warranted such a trip.

"We are all concerned about his ailment. We hope, wish and pray that he will come out of the present crisis. We are prepared to do anything in terms of medicine, equipment or help, both domestic and abroad," he said in an informal chat with reporters after paying a 30-minute visit to the Corporate Apollo hospitals on October 19 afternoon, where Maran is in the Intensive Care Unit for nearly a month for his heart ailment.

"We want him to be back on his feet soon and see him hale and hearty and that is why we are here," Sinha said, adding that on behalf of the people of India, the government, Prime Minister and his ministry, all help would be extended, including sending the minister abroad for treatment.

He, however, hastened to add that the treatment now being given to Maran was on par with international standards.

PTI