AIIMS locations fixed on availability of healthcare facilities

NEW DELHI, Apr 29:
Identification of locations for new AIIMS is based on various criteria including regional disparity in availability of tertiary level healthcare facilities in backward areas, Lok Sabha was informed today.
Health Minister J P Nadda said state governments have to identify locations and provide approximately 200 acres land free of cost, which is primary requirement for setting up of AIIMS-type super-speciality hospital-cum-teaching institution.
Nadda said new AIIMS are being set up under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana, which was announced in 2003 and approved in 2006 with the primary objective of correcting the imbalances in availability of affordable tertiary level healthcare in the country and augment facilities for quality medical education in under-served or backward states.
“These new AIIMS are being set up in a phased manner in view of resources constraint in accordance with fund availability,” he said during Question Hour.
To another question, Minister for Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturapathy Shripad Naik said steps were being taken by the government to develop, promote and create awareness about AYUSH. The steps envisage upgradation of research, improve quality of education and drugs, standardisation and accreditation of Ayurveda and Yoga, encouraging research and collaborative research with various countries. (PTI)