The Kerala government has reportedly submitted multiple proposals over the years for establishing an AIIMS. Despite these efforts, the Union government has not approved the proposal, leaving the state’s healthcare needs unaddressed.
In 2025, the Kerala government identified land in Kinalur, Kozhikode, for the proposed AIIMS project. However, the Centre has not provided a timeline for the approval of this critical healthcare initiative.
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav confirmed, “The proposal for establishing AIIMS in Kerala has not been approved.” This statement underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the state in securing necessary healthcare infrastructure.
The absence of an AIIMS in Kerala has become a political issue ahead of the state Assembly elections, with Congress MPs Kodikunnil Suresh and Adoor Prakash vocalizing their concerns. They argue that the demand for an AIIMS is directly linked to the state’s pressing healthcare needs.
In 2016, several potential locations for AIIMS in Kerala were identified and proposed, yet progress has stalled. By 2019, the Union Health Ministry sought ‘in-principle’ approval from the Finance Ministry, but no further developments have been reported.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the reasons for the delay in approval of the AIIMS proposal. Observers are concerned that the lack of action could impact the healthcare landscape in Kerala significantly.
The political ramifications of this issue are palpable, as the demand for an AIIMS continues to resonate with the electorate. As the state approaches elections, the focus on healthcare infrastructure is likely to intensify.
With the Centre’s silence on the approval timeline, the future of the AIIMS project in Kerala remains uncertain. The Kerala government is expected to continue advocating for the establishment of this vital institution.
As discussions unfold, the healthcare needs of the state remain a priority, with many hoping for a resolution that addresses the longstanding demand for an AIIMS.
The situation is evolving, and stakeholders are closely monitoring developments as the political landscape shifts in the lead-up to the elections.
