New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has informed Parliament that out of the total approved All India Institutes of Medical Sciences across the country, a majority are now functional, strengthening the national healthcare infrastructure.
Majority Institutes Operational
Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, stated that most of the approved AIIMS are currently operational and providing medical education and healthcare services to the public in different states and union territories.
Non-Functional AIIMS Identified
The Minister clarified that a few AIIMS are yet to become functional. These include AIIMS Darbhanga in Bihar, AIIMS Majra in Rewari district of Haryana, AIIMS Awantipora in Jammu and Kashmir, and AIIMS Madurai in Tamil Nadu.
Stages of Construction
Among the non-functional institutes, several are still under various phases of construction. In the case of AIIMS Darbhanga, pre-investment activities are presently underway, while the remaining institutes are progressing through construction-related stages.
Parliamentary Query Raised
The information was shared in response to questions raised in Parliament by Member of Parliament Anto Antony. He sought details regarding the functioning AIIMS, those under construction, proposed institutes, and their expected timelines for completion and operationalisation.
Government Scheme Background
The Minister explained that the establishment of these institutes has been approved under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana, a flagship scheme aimed at correcting regional imbalances in the availability of quality tertiary healthcare services.
Factors Affecting Completion
According to the government, the timeline for completion and operationalisation of AIIMS projects depends on several factors. These include efficient project management, regulatory approvals, and timely recruitment of both faculty and non-faculty staff.
Commitment to Healthcare Expansion
The Centre reiterated its commitment to expanding advanced healthcare and medical education facilities across the country, emphasizing that efforts are ongoing to ensure the remaining AIIMS become operational at the earliest possible time.
