Kochi, 07 Oct (H.S.):The Kerala High Court has questioned the Centre’s decision to exclude Kerala from its priority list for an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), asking whether the state’s strong healthcare performance should count against its eligibility.

A Bench headed by the Chief Justice observed that Kerala deserved an AIIMS and that its high population density strengthened the case for establishing the institution.

The observations came while hearing a petition filed by a collective from Kasaragod challenging the Centre’s failure to consider an AIIMS for Kerala.

In an affidavit, the Union government said priority was being given to states with weaker healthcare systems. Kerala, which performed well in the health sector, was therefore not among the states receiving immediate consideration.

The Centre also submitted that further consideration would be possible only if the proposed plan for 2030–31 received approval.

Questioning this position, the court asked whether Kerala’s achievements in healthcare amounted to a disqualification. It pointed out that land had been identified at Kinalur and an application submitted to the Union Health Ministry several years ago.

The Bench also questioned the basis on which AIIMS had been established in Delhi. It asked the Centre to take appropriate steps and posted the petition for further consideration after six weeks.

The affidavit comes against the backdrop of remarks by Union Minister Suresh Gopi supporting an AIIMS in Kerala, with Thrissur as his preferred location.

Speaking on Tuesday, Gopi said he wanted the institution established in the state and considered Thrissur suitable. He also said that if the state opposed locating AIIMS there because he was a BJP MP, he would ensure it came to Thrissur itself.

The Centre’s submission, however, indicates that Kerala’s demand faces a longer wait, despite the minister’s public assurances and the court’s observations supporting the state’s case for the institution.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman