Centre says ‘no’ to AIIMS, will not seek votes without laying foundation stone: Suresh Gopi

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Union Minister Suresh Gopi responded after the central government informed the Kerala High Court that establishing an AIIMS in Kerala is not a priority presently. Suresh Gopi told the media that the Centre’s statement to the high court was only about the priority being given to the project and that AIIMS would indeed come to Kerala. He also said that disputes over the location of AIIMS have existed since the beginning.

‘Let me make one thing clear, there have been disputes over AIIMS from the very beginning. I am repeating the question I asked yesterday. Has Kerala informed the central government about where the land is being identified, including Thrissur? At least five locations are required. Have you provided those five locations? Is Thrissur among them? The questions raised by the court were for the people. There must have been a response to them.

The next question is, what did Nadda say when he came to Ernakulam and held a press meet in June 2025? He said that AIIMS would come to Kerala. The union health minister had said that it would come to Kerala at the right time and in the right place. I also said that AIIMS will come to Kerala. Let the Kerala government first say whether it wants it in Alappuzha or Thrissur. I will not come asking for votes again without the foundation stone for AIIMS being laid in Kerala. What more do you want me to say,’ said Suresh Gopi.

Meantime, the central government informed the Kerala High Court that establishing AIIMS in Kerala is not a priority at present. The Centre said it prefers to establish AIIMS facilities in other states first, giving priority to states with weaker healthcare infrastructure, while noting that Kerala is ahead in the healthcare sector. The Centre submitted the affidavit in response to a petition challenging the delay in granting AIIMS to Kerala.