Kerala HC asks Centre if better health care in State is a “handicap” for establishing AIIMS
The Kerala High Court questioned the Union government's rationale for not prioritizing an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Kerala, asking if the state's better existing healthcare infrastructure was considered a 'handicap.' The Centre stated it prioritizes states with weaker health sectors, while the court emphasized Kerala's high population density and long-pending request.
Why it matters
This case highlights the ongoing debate about equitable distribution of national resources and infrastructure, particularly in healthcare, and raises questions about how states' existing development levels influence central government decisions.
The State informed the Kerala High Court that in-principle approval had not been granted to Keralam for establishing an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice V.M. Syam Kumar enquired into the reason why Keralam was not prioritised for building an AIIMS, even though the matter had been pending for almost 10 years. The Bench was considering a petition seeking establishment of an AIIMS under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY).
The court observed that the matter was presently at the stage of inter-ministerial consultation and any decision for setting up an AIIMS could be taken only after the continuation of the PMSSY scheme for the next five financial years, FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31, was approved.
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