Tenders for setting up AIIMS-like institutions this month: Azad

The government will invite bids this month for setting up at least five AIIMS-like medical institutions and colleges by 2012 in the country, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

"We are setting up eight AIIMS-like institutions including one in Patna in Bihar. Six will be made in the first phase and two more will come up in the second phase. We got the Cabinet approval in 2006 only although the proposal was mooted in 2003-04," Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said.

Hostels and other facilities will be completed at least at five locations and tenders will be floated this month for constructing 950-bed hospital and medical colleges in respective states, he said during the Question Hour.

Azad dismissed allegations that the Rs 850 crore project has been delayed though its was initiated in 2003-04 by the NDA government.

The proposal was mooted in 2003-04 but it was never placed before the Cabinet. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the project in 2006 when UPA was in power and the actual work started in 2007 only, he said.

"Ministry of Health and Family Welfare through its various programmes is providing primary public health infrastructure while augmenting the secondary and tertiary sector health facilities by setting up more AIIMS-like institutions and upgrading existing medical colleges across the country," he said.