The Kerala government has reportedly submitted multiple proposals over the years for establishing an AIIMS. Despite these efforts, the Union government has yet to approve 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 when the approval might come, creating uncertainty for local officials and residents.
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 this vital healthcare institution.
The demand for an AIIMS in Kerala has become a political issue ahead of the state Assembly elections. Congress MPs Kodikunnil Suresh and Adoor Prakash have voiced concerns, emphasizing the importance of the project to meet the state’s healthcare needs.
In 2016, several potential locations for AIIMS in Kerala were proposed, but progress has stalled since then. In 2019, the Union Health Ministry sought ‘in-principle’ approval from the Finance Ministry, but no further developments have occurred.
The absence of an AIIMS in Kerala continues to be a contentious topic, with local leaders pushing for action. Observers note that the delay in approval has significant implications for the state’s healthcare infrastructure.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the reasons for the delay in approval of the AIIMS proposal. The timeline for the approval or implementation of the AIIMS proposal remains unclear.
As the political landscape heats up, the future of the AIIMS project in Kerala hangs in the balance, with many hoping for a resolution that addresses the pressing healthcare needs of the state.
