In a major boost to the health care initiatives, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday laid the foundation stone for Tamil Nadu’s first All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and said the Centre was committed to providing quality and affordable healthcare to the people of the country.
Mr Modi also inaugurated the super-speciality blocks of Rajaji Medical College, Madurai, Thanjavur Medical College and Tirunelveli Medical College as a part of upgradation projects of these colleges.
Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, Health Minister Dr C Vijayabaskar were also present on the occasion.
Mr Modi unveiled a plaque to mark the laying of foundation stone for AIIMS.
The Union Cabinet chaired by Mr Modi had approved setting up of AIIMS at Thoppur in Madurai on December 17 last year and it was announced in the 2015-16 Union Budget.
With an approved budget of Rs 1,264 crores, the construction, operation and maintenance cost of new AIIMS was being fully
borne by the Union Government.
It will be completed in 45 months by September 2022.