Madam Speaker, as we all know, quality health care can only be provided through quality medical institutions.  Hospitals staffed with highly trained professionals, equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure alone can provide improved and affordable health care to the masses.  That is why the All India Institute of Medical Sciences has established such a reputation here in Delhi.  The Government in 2015 had promised to establish an All India Institute, an AIIIMS, in the State of Kerala to promote medical research, encourage dissemination of information and provide affordable health care to the State citizens.  This will also provide excellent opportunities in higher education for medicine and jobs to young medical professionals. 

          The State of Kerala finalized the required logistics and identified suitable locations to establish this institution including one location in rural Thiruvananthapuram, the State capital, which would also cater to the southern districts of Tamil Nadu right next door.  However, the Central Government has failed to include Kerala in the first list of States in which new AIIMS will be established.

          I, therefore, urge the Government to add the State of Kerala to the list immediately, to conduct at least an inspection visit of the sites offered by the State Government, in keeping with the promise of the Central Government, and, therefore, to establish an AIIMS in Thiruvananthapuram at the earliest.   Thank you, Madam Speaker.