Kochi: The years-long anticipation for an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Kerala has culminated in a profound letdown with the unveiling of the Union Budget 2026-27. Despite repeated assurances from Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Suresh Gopi, that an AIIMS would soon be established in the state, the budget document revealed no such allocation, dashing the hopes of millions.
High Expectations Amidst Upcoming Assembly Polls
Expectations were particularly elevated as Kerala gears up for imminent assembly elections, with many anticipating a significant healthcare boost from the Centre. The absence of an AIIMS leaves Kerala and Goa as the sole states without this premier institution, alongside northeastern states like Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Sikkim. This gap underscores a critical shortage of state-of-the-art super-speciality healthcare facilities in Kerala, making the establishment of a multi-speciality central government hospital an urgent necessity.
State Government's Persistent Efforts
Industries Minister P Rajeeve detailed the state government's relentless pursuit of an AIIMS. During the first tenure of the Pinarayi Vijayan government, Kerala identified land parcels at four potential locations, including Kalamassery, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kozhikode. However, the Union government later instructed the state to pinpoint a single site. Following the current government's assumption of power in 2021, Kerala proposed Kinaloor in Kozhikode as the preferred location.
The Centre then stipulated that the land must be owned by the health department. In response, the state government transferred land from the industries department at Kinaloor to the health department and communicated this to the Union government. Despite these efforts, over three years have passed with no progress, leaving the project in limbo.
Unfulfilled Promises and Budget Disappointment
Earlier speculations suggested that Kerala might receive an AIIMS under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana. Later, hopes were pinned on an announcement in the Union Budget 2026-27. The budget, however, offered nothing for the common man in this regard, as criticized by leaders like Mamata Banerjee, who slammed it as a "Humpty Dumpty" budget. While the budget outlined changes in income tax slabs and pricing for various goods, it failed to address Kerala's healthcare infrastructure needs.
The disappointment is palpable among residents and policymakers alike, highlighting the ongoing struggle for enhanced medical facilities in the state. As Kerala continues to advocate for an AIIMS, the focus now shifts to future budgetary allocations and political negotiations to bridge this healthcare gap.
