The Kerala government has been advocating for the establishment of an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for several years, highlighting the pressing healthcare needs of the state. Despite multiple proposals submitted over the years, the Union government has yet to approve the project, leaving many residents and officials frustrated.
In 2025, the Kerala government identified land in Kinalur, Kozhikode, specifically for the proposed AIIMS project. However, the absence of a timeline for approval from the Centre has raised concerns among local leaders and citizens alike.
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, recently confirmed, “The proposal for establishing AIIMS in Kerala has not been approved.” This statement has only intensified the political discourse surrounding the issue, especially with state Assembly elections on the horizon.
The demand for an AIIMS in Kerala has become a significant political issue, with Congress MPs Kodikunnil Suresh and Adoor Prakash voicing their concerns over the delay. They argue that the lack of a premier medical institution in the state is detrimental to the healthcare system and exacerbates existing challenges.
Historically, the Union Health Ministry sought ‘in-principle’ approval from the Finance Ministry in 2019 for the establishment of AIIMS in Kerala, but progress has since stalled. In 2016, several potential locations for the institute were proposed, yet none have materialized into concrete action.
The situation is compounded by the fact that the absence of an AIIMS in Kerala is not just a healthcare issue but a political one, as it is closely linked to the state’s electoral dynamics. Observers note that the demand for improved healthcare facilities is likely to resonate with voters, making it a pivotal topic in the upcoming elections.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the reasons for the delay in approval of the AIIMS proposal, leaving many to speculate about the Centre’s priorities and the future of healthcare in Kerala. The timeline for the approval or implementation of the AIIMS proposal remains unclear, further fueling uncertainty among stakeholders.
As the political landscape heats up, the fate of the AIIMS proposal in Kerala hangs in the balance, with many hoping for a breakthrough that could finally address the state’s healthcare needs.
