MoS takes charge with health minister missing

The officials also insisted on coordination between various child and women’s health programmes undertaken by two different Departments of Health and Family Welfare.

Speaking on her Minister’s behalf, Lakshmi said their priority will be to improve health facilities in rural areas and financial assistance to the poor in need of specialised treatment. ‘‘Even if they write to the Ministry on a postcard, we will arrange financial assistance. We want health for all but it is more important to provide facilities for the poor in rural areas,’’ she said.

Elected from Nellore in Andhra Pradesh, she also has plans for her constituency — the foremost being to upgrade the existing hospital into a super-speciality facility. ‘‘Most people from my area have to go to Chennai or Bangalore for treatment which is why a super-speciality hospital is a must there,’’ she said. Lakshmi, who was briefed earlier by senior ministry officials, showed much interest in alternative medicine. She said it was better because it had no ‘‘side-effects’’.