Kerela: Center team to be dispatched to check AIIMS site

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:A central team to identify a location for  setting up of the All India Institute of medical Sciences in the state  is likely to be on its way soon according to the information given by the Union health minister Jagat Prakash Nadda to Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan.

Vijayan was in the capital city to discuss issues related to health with the Union Health Minister. The top most on the agenda being setting up of an AIIMS in the city.The centre with regards to this had asked for a 200 acre plot. Kinalur in Kozhikode, HMT land in Ernakulam, Kottayam medical college campus and Nettuklatheri near Neyyar Dam in Thiruvananthapuram are  places that had been identified by the previous governments for setting up of  AIIMS .

Other issues  that Health Minister Nadda discussed with Chief Minister,  Pinarayi Vijayan were reviewing of the decision to cancel admissions to the fresh MBBS batch at Idukki Medical College, financial help for the development of Allappuzha and Kozhikode Medical Colleges, and  funds required for  setting up of the Cancer Department of Kozhikode Medical College Hospital, as reported to the TOI.

Two batches are already studying at the Idukki Medical College, however, the MCI has cancelled further admissions in the face of infrastructural deficiencies.

The centre will be providing a fund worth 150 crores each for the development of Allappuzha and Kozhikode Medical College  hospitals, into super speciality facilities, announced Mr. Nadda.

The cancer department of Kozhikode Medical College Hospital has been sanctioned Rs 44.5 crore by the centre; of which Rs 25 crore will be used in the first phase and after submission of  the detailed project report, the remaining released, added the Chief Minister.

Pinarayi Vijayan took on various other  health sector issues with the Union Health Minister. He was also promised more centre level discussions to increase the union government's support to the state's health sector.