Union minister promises to set up AIIMS in Karnataka

The Centre is examining a proposal from the State government to convert the Employees State Insurance Corporation’s (ESIC) medical education complex in Gulbarga into an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Harsh Vardhan announced on Saturday.

Addressing a press conference before reviewing the progress of the National Rural Health Mission and other programmes in the State, Harsh Vardhan, recently said that the Labour Ministry had written to him asking for the complex to be taken from the ESIC and be run by the health ministry.

The medical education complex consists of medical, dental, nursing colleges, paramedical institutes and a super speciality hospital.

In addition, the State government has suggested three locations where it was ready to hand over 200 acres of land for setting up AIIMS.

“We are examining all proposals. The final selection will be based on merit and requirement of the people. Karnataka will get an AIIMS for sure”, the minister said.

Health Minister U T Khader and Minister of State for Medical Education Sharanprakash Patil refused to disclose the other three locations suggested by the State government, stating that any disclose at this stage would result in a flood of similar requests from across the State.

Replying to another query, Harsh Vardhan said the Centre is keen on a single All India entrance test system for admission to medical colleges.

He pointed out that the Supreme Court had agreed to have a relook at its judgment of scrapping the single common entrance test for admission to MBBS, BDS and postgraduate courses in all medical colleges, which was delivered last year.

“We are perusing the matter closely. Having a single common entrance test will help in curbing collection of capitation fees and malpractices in admission process”, Vardhan said.

To a query on the Supreme Court issuing notice on a PIL seeking a complete ban on the production of cigarettes and other tobacco products across the country, Vardhan said the Health Ministry was for the maximum possible controlled use of tobacco.

The Minister also reviewed the upgraded government medical colleges, being made into super-speciality hospitals, in Bangalore, Bellary and Hubli.