New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare continues to sidestep inquiries regarding the approval of a proposed All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Kerala, specifically the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government’s suggestion to establish it in Kozhikode.
Responding to questions raised by CPI(M) MP John Brittas in the Rajya Sabha on December 3, Union Minister J.P. Nadda declined to provide a timeline for the proposal’s approval. Despite earlier remarks in August that the Centre was considering the proposal, no concrete decisions or updates have been shared. It remains uncertain whether the project will be included in the upcoming Union Budget.
Mr. Brittas sought clarification on whether Kerala was under consideration for an AIIMS, the progress of the proposal, and the timeline for its implementation. He also requested details of the identified location.
In response, the Minister explained that AIIMS institutions are being established across the country under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) in phases, with 22 proposals sanctioned so far. “The Kerala government has identified and proposed four sites for the AIIMS — Kinalur in Kozhikode district, Kattakada taluk in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kottayam district, and Ernakulam district. However, the proposal has not been approved in the current phase of PMSSY,” he stated.
Meanwhile, M.K. Raghavan, Congress MP from Kozhikode, reiterated his demand in the Lok Sabha under Rule 377 to expedite the project. He highlighted that 200 acres of land at Kinalur in Kozhikode had already been acquired, with the area demarcated and equipped with essential infrastructure such as electricity, water, and transportation.
Mr. Raghavan emphasized the urgent need for an AIIMS in north Kerala, citing the region’s lack of adequate tertiary healthcare facilities and the longstanding demand for such an institution.
