Srinagar, Nov 5: Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Thursday reviewed the progress of the upcoming All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Awantipora in Jammu and Kashmir and directed officials to expedite the remaining construction work to make the prestigious healthcare institution operational at the earliest.
During his first visit to AIIMS Awantipora in the Kashmir Valley, Nadda inspected the ongoing project and interacted with officials and personnel associated with its construction. He stressed the need for timely completion of the 750-bed tertiary care hospital, which is expected to significantly strengthen advanced medical facilities in the region.
The institute's Outpatient Department (OPD) is expected to become functional by the end of November, marking an important step towards the phased operationalisation of the facility.
100 MBBS Students to Begin Classes Soon
Jammu and Kashmir Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo, who spoke to reporters after the Union Minister's visit, said 100 MBBS students would soon begin their academic sessions at AIIMS Awantipora.
She said the announcement was particularly significant as the Union Health Minister had earlier indicated 50 MBBS seats for the institute. The decision to accommodate 100 students is expected to strengthen medical education opportunities in the Union Territory.
Itoo also expressed confidence that the commencement of OPD services would bring considerable relief to patients across Kashmir, many of whom currently travel long distances to access specialised medical treatment.
Thanking Nadda for his intervention, she said the Union Minister had directed officials to accelerate the work and ensure that the institution becomes functional without further delay.
Omar Abdullah Government Monitoring Project Progress
The J&K Health Minister said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had visited the project site several times over the past two years to review its progress and push for early completion.
She added that she had also accompanied the Chief Minister during visits to ensure that construction and other preparatory work progressed towards making the institution operational.
The government has been emphasising the importance of AIIMS Awantipora in improving access to specialised healthcare and strengthening the medical education infrastructure in the Kashmir Valley.
Rs 2,160 Crore Project with 750-Bed Capacity
AIIMS Awantipora was sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) as an Institution of National Importance. The project was approved around 2019, with construction commencing in November 2020 at an estimated cost of Rs 2,160 crore.
Spread across a large campus, the institution is designed as a 750-bed tertiary care hospital and medical teaching centre. The project comprises around 57 buildings and blocks, including the main hospital, academic facilities, student hostels, residential quarters and sports infrastructure.
The campus will also feature facilities such as a football ground, tennis courts and medicinal plant gardens.
Major Boost to Healthcare in Kashmir
AIIMS Awantipora is planned to have an annual intake capacity of 100 MBBS students and 60 nursing students. Its phased rollout is expected to include OPD services, diagnostic laboratories and other essential medical facilities.
Once fully operational, the institution is expected to reduce the burden on existing hospitals, improve access to specialised treatment and provide a major boost to medical education and research in Jammu and Kashmir.
The commencement of OPD services and the admission of the first batch of 100 MBBS students will mark significant milestones in the long-awaited operationalisation of the project.
