Kerala Health Minister accuses BJP MP of blocking AIIMS establishment

Kerala's Health Minister Veena George leveled serious accusations against BJP Member of Parliament Suresh Gopi on Wednesday, suggesting he is working to prevent the establishment of an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the state.

The Health Minister's remarks came in response to Gopi's recent statements, which George interpreted as signaling opposition to the AIIMS project coming to Kerala. According to the minister, the MP's comments create doubts about the viability of the medical institute's arrival in the state.

George emphasized that Kerala remains committed to hosting the premier medical institution and has not raised any objections to its establishment. She stated that the state government is prepared to facilitate the AIIMS at any location deemed suitable for the project's implementation.

The controversy underscores growing political tensions over the AIIMS project, a centerpiece of the central government's healthcare expansion initiative. Kerala has been identified as one of the proposed locations for the new facility, which would significantly augment the state's medical infrastructure and provide residents access to world-class healthcare services.

The Health Minister's statement suggests that the delay in AIIMS establishment in Kerala may have political dimensions, with state leadership blaming the ruling alliance's national representatives for the impediment. The matter remains a point of contention between the state and central authorities regarding healthcare development in Kerala.