JP Nadda Reaffirms Commitment to AIIMS for Kerala, Announces Multiple Healthcare Initiatives

Nadda also asked the state to submit a proposal for establishing India's first Genetic Institute in Kerala and assured Central support for setting up Trauma Care Centres in every district by strengthening district hospitals.

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda has assured Kerala of a series of major healthcare initiatives and reaffirmed the Centre's commitment to sanction an AIIMS for the state. The assurances were made during a meeting in New Delhi with a Kerala delegation led by State Health Minister K. Muraleedharan.

During the meeting, Nadda gave in-principle approval for 100 MBBS seats at the K. Karunakaran Memorial Government Medical College in Thiruvananthapuram from the next academic year. According to the Kerala Minister, Nadda expressed concern that despite infrastructure worth hundreds of crores being created nearly a decade ago, the medical college had not commenced MBBS admissions.

Calling the delay criminal negligence, the Union Minister reportedly observed that nearly 1,100 students could have benefited from medical education had admissions begun on time.

Nadda also asked the state to submit a proposal for establishing India's first Genetic Institute in Kerala and assured Central support for setting up Trauma Care Centres in every district by strengthening district hospitals.

The Union Minister further gave an in-principle nod to Kerala's request for enhancing insurance coverage under the Centre's health insurance scheme and assured support for upgrading the state's three Mental Health Centres.

In addition, Nadda promised Central assistance for administering the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to girls and said the Centre would consider increasing financial support for the National Health Mission after Kerala highlighted the inadequacy of existing allocations.

The Kerala delegation also sought assistance in ensuring the availability of medicines for non-communicable diseases, select cancer drugs, and certain medicines not currently available in India. Nadda assured that the matter would be examined and appropriate steps taken.

The Union Minister also agreed to enhance Central assistance for the State Virology Institute, acknowledging Kerala's role in strengthening public health surveillance.

According to Minister Muraleedharan, Nadda appreciated Kerala's healthcare delivery system and described the meeting as cordial, with the Union Minister responding positively to the state's demands.

Stay tuned for more such updates on Digital Health News