Kasaragod Likely Included in Kerala’s Fresh AIIMS Proposal, MP Informs Collective

The AIIMS Kasaragod People’s Collective on Saturday announced that the Kerala government has assured the inclusion of Kasaragod district in a revised proposal to the Union government for establishing an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the state.

Ganesan Aramanganam, president of the collective, welcomed the assurance, noting that the district’s healthcare infrastructure was found lacking during the COVID-19 pandemic. He argued that a comprehensive medical facility is essential for Kasaragod to achieve healthcare self-sufficiency.

According to the collective, the organisation had previously approached the Kerala High Court seeking directions against the delay in setting up an AIIMS in Kerala and requesting that Kasaragod be included among the proposed locations. A Division Bench headed by the Chief Justice, while hearing the petition, observed that the demand for an AIIMS in the state could not be treated lightly. The Bench directed the Union Ministry of Health to clarify its stand and conduct a scientific feasibility study at the sites proposed by the state government.

The collective’s general secretary, Muralidharan Padannakkad, said the state government’s assurance emerged during a meeting between Rajmohan Unnithan, MP, and Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan. The MP later informed the collective that Kasaragod would be included in the revised AIIMS proposal.

Padannakkad further stated that Health Minister K. Muraleedharan assured special consideration for Kasaragod following the intervention of Uduma MLA K. Neelakandan. He confirmed that the district’s name will be included in the new list to be submitted to the Centre.

The collective has urged all political parties to set aside differences and work together to secure the premier medical institution for the district. It also called on public representatives and political parties to exert strong pressure on the Union government to ensure that the AIIMS sanctioned for Kerala is established in Kasaragod.