Will Prayagraj Get Its Own AIIMS? Allahabad High Court Asks Union Health Ministry

The Allahabad High Court has inquired whether the Union Health Ministry has plans to establish a premier healthcare institution similar to AIIMS in Prayagraj. The court's query arose from a PIL citing the inadequacy of medical facilities in the city, which has a population exceeding 5.9 million.

The Allahabad High Court has directed the Union Health Ministry to clarify whether the central government intends to establish a premier healthcare institution akin to AIIMS in Prayagraj. The court's directive is in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) emphasizing the city's inadequate medical infrastructure.

Filed by the Sahaj-Sarathi Foundation and another entity, the PIL highlighted that Prayagraj, with a population of over 5.9 million according to the 2011 Census, urgently requires enhanced medical facilities. The petitioners underscored that despite Prayagraj's status as a major administrative and educational center, its medical services remain subpar.

The bench, comprising Justices Manoj Kumar Gupta and Manish Kumar Nigam, took note of the affidavit pointing out the dilapidated state of existing hospitals and stressed the need for a tertiary healthcare institution similar to AIIMS. The court has scheduled the next hearing for August 1, 2024, expecting an informed decision from the government by then.