The Centre is seriously considering the setting up of an All India Institute of Medical Sciences-like institution in Kerala in the next phase of the project, Health Minister K.K. Shylaja said in a statement here on Friday.
The Minister stated this after a meeting with Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda in New Delhi.
Ms. Shylaja has been to New Delhi to receive an award for the State for achieving reduction in maternal mortality.
The State had identified four locations earlier for setting up AIIMS. Now the State government had finalised Kozhikode as the ideal location for the same. Acquiring 200 acres for AIIMS would not be a problem, Ms. Shylaja said. The Minister also conveyed to the Centre the State’s appreciation in giving wholehearted support during the Nipah virus outbreak in the State.
The Centre had also been supportive of the State’s decision to set up a research project along with the World Health Organization for countering possible virus outbreaks in future. The Union Health Ministry would soon convene a meet on viral disease outbreaks, along with the Indian Council for Medical Research, in which WHO representatives and scientists from the State would also take part.