Velloor gets priority assurance in AIIMS site selection for Kerala
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda has assured that Velloor in Kottayam district will be given priority when the Centre decides on the location for the proposed All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Kerala. The assurance was given to K. Francis George, Lok Sabha member representing Kottayam, during a meeting in which Mr. George submitted a memorandum urging the Ministry to consider Velloor as the site for the institute.
According to Mr. George, Mr. Nadda said the State government was examining the locations proposed for the AIIMS and would submit its report to the Centre. The Union government would then examine the findings and take further action based on the report. This multi-stage process indicates that the final selection will be made after a thorough review by both the State and Central governments.
Making a case for Velloor, Mr. George highlighted that the land adjoining Kerala Paper Products Ltd (KPPL) is strategically located between Kottayam and Ernakulam. He pointed out that the region has excellent road and rail connectivity, proximity to airports, and an adequate supply of water, making it an ideal location for a national-level healthcare institution.
The MP also used the occasion to press for other healthcare projects in Kerala. He sought the establishment of the Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Centre, announced in the Union Budget, near the Kottayam Medical College. He also requested funds for the expansion of the physiotherapy centre at the college and urged the Centre to sanction an All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) for the State.
The proposed AIIMS in Kerala has been a contentious issue, with several districts staking claim to the project. The institute is part of the Central government's plan to expand access to advanced medical care across the country. Kerala has been waiting for an AIIMS for many years, and the latest assurance has brought a ray of hope to the people of central Kerala, particularly the Kottayam region.
The final decision on the location will depend on the State government's report and the subsequent evaluation by the Union government. While the assurance given to Mr. George does not guarantee that Velloor will be chosen, it does indicate that it will be considered with priority. The people of Kottayam and the local elected representatives have welcomed the development, expressing optimism that the region will benefit from the AIIMS if the site is approved.
An AIIMS in Velloor would be a significant boost for healthcare in Kerala, providing advanced treatment facilities and creating employment opportunities. It would also help alleviate the burden on existing hospitals in the State by offering super-specialty care to a large population. The strategic location of Velloor, with its connectivity to major cities and airports, is seen as a major advantage in making it a viable choice.
The State government's report is awaited, and the next steps will be crucial in determining the outcome. The Centre's review of the findings will be done in due course, and a final announcement is expected after that. Until then, the assurance given by Mr. Nadda remains a key development in the ongoing quest for an AIIMS in Kerala.
