Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday urged the Union government to set up an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the southern state without further delay.

Vijayan, while inaugurating the super speciality block at the Government Medical College hospital here, said the health indices of the state are "at par with the developed nations" of the world.

"Considering the achievements of Kerala in the health sector, the Centre should establish an AIIMS in the state. Kerala has achieved the top positions in any health indice in the country. We have even identified land to set up the AIIMS at Kozhikode. The Centre should set up the hospital without any delay," Vijayan said at the function attended by Union Minister of State for Health Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar.

He said the health sector in Alappuzha will get a boost with the opening of the new super speciality block at the medical college.

Immediate steps will be taken to appoint necessary doctors and other staff, the Chief Minister said.

Vijayan said the setting up of the super speciality block is an example of federalism in the country and the state expects more facilities that the state deserves.

The super speciality block was constructed using a fund of Rs 120 crore sanctioned by the Centre and Rs 53.18 crore sanctioned by the state government.

"Kerala has converted the primary health centres in the state to family health centres and as a result, all sections of the society have now started relying on the government medical facilities for the treatment," Vijayan said.

Speaking at the function, Union Minister Pawar said the Alappuzha Medical College has been allotted 15 more PG seats.

"During visit to Kerala, took a review meeting of State Health Officials. Discussed various initiatives and issues in the Kerala health system. Directed for improvements so that people get benefits of Various Health initiatives of Government of India," she said in a tweet after the function.

The Union minister said: "Under the leadership of Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji, Government of India has provided more than 2000 crores to the state of Kerala during the last year for managing the COVID 19 pandemic and strengthening of health infrastructure of State."

State Health Minister Veena George, State Culture Minister Saji Cheriyan, A M Arif MP and MLAs from the district participated in the event.

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