AIIMS Madurai OPD services to begin from January 1: Centre tells Madras HC
Madurai: Full-fledged outpatient department (OPD) services at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Madurai are scheduled to begin on January 1, 2027, the Union Health Ministry informed the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday.
The submission came during the hearing of two public interest litigations concerning the prolonged development of AIIMS Madurai and the delay in commencement of its services. Taking note of the Centre’s submission, the High Court disposed of both petitions.
A communication issued by the Deputy Director of AIIMS Madurai to the Deputy Solicitor General stated that preparations were being made to operationalise the OPD in accordance with directions from the Union Health Ministry.
The matter was heard before a bench comprising Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice CV Karthikeyan. The PILs, filed in 2021 and 2024, had sought intervention to accelerate the institute’s construction and facilitate the commencement of academic and healthcare services.
The Centre also placed an update on the progress of the permanent campus before the court. Overall development was expected to reach 59% by the end of September, with Phase I reported to be substantially ahead of Phase II. Around 88% of Phase I work and 35% of Phase II work were expected to be completed by that time, TNIE reported.
Meanwhile, the institute has begun transitioning its MBBS students to the permanent campus. Students belonging to all five batches admitted between 2021 and 2025 were shifted in phases from the temporary arrangement in Ramanathapuram after hostel and dining facilities became available at Madurai.
The relocation was completed on August 31, according to the communication submitted before the court. The move marks another step in the gradual transition of AIIMS Madurai from its temporary setup towards functioning from its permanent campus.
The proposed OPD launch is expected to bring the institute’s permanent facility into direct use for outpatient healthcare. With the January 1, 2027 timeline now placed on record before the High Court, preparations are underway to make the services operational by the stated date.
