**Summary:**
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare addressed a question in Lok Sabha regarding the potential upgrade of Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Science and Research (VIMSAR), Burla, to an AIIMS-level institution. The response clarified that existing hospitals cannot be upgraded to AIIMS under the AIIMS Act, as AIIMS are established as new "green field" projects.
However, VIMSAR, Burla, is undergoing upgrades through other initiatives. Under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), a Super Specialty Block is being constructed at VIMSAR with a project cost of Rs. 150 Crore, shared between the Central Government (Rs. 120 Crore) and the State Government (Rs. 30 Crore).
Additionally, under a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, VIMSAR, Burla, has been approved for 35 postgraduate (PG) seats and 100 MBBS seats, with approved costs of Rs. 5.40 Crore and Rs. 120 Crore, respectively. The entire Central share of Rs. 3.59 Crore for PG seats and Rs. 72 Crore for MBBS seats has been released.
Furthermore, the State Government of Odisha received Rs. 1916.79 Crore in the FY 2024-25 under the National Health Mission (NHM) for strengthening health infrastructure in rural and urban areas.
Key Entities Referenced
Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Science and Research, Burla: A medical institution in Burla, Odisha, considered for upgradation to AIIMS-level.
AIIMS: All India Institutes of Medical Sciences, a group of premier medical institutes in India. New AIIMS are established as Institutes of National Importance under the AIIMS Act.
PGIMER Chandigarh: Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, a premier medical institution in India, used as a benchmark for upgradation.
SGPGI Lucknow: Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, a medical institution in India, used as a benchmark for upgradation.
Western Odisha: A geographical region in the state of Odisha, India, whose healthcare demands are a consideration for the potential upgradation.
Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY): An Indian government scheme under which upgradation of Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Science and Research, Burla has been undertaken.
Odisha: A state in India where AIIMS Bhubaneshwar is located and where VIMSAR, Burla is located. Also where equitable access to quality healthcare needs to be promoted.
National Health Mission (NHM): A centrally sponsored scheme for strengthening health infrastructure in rural and urban areas.
GOVERNMENTOFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 3245
TO BE ANSWEREDON08TH AUGUST,2025
UPGRADATIONOFVIMSAR, BURLA
3245.SHRIPRADEEPPUROHIT:
Will the Ministerof HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate:
(a) whether the Government is considering upgrading the Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical
Science and Research (VIMSAR), Burla to a premier AIIMS-level institution, comparable to
PGIMER Chandigarh and SGPGI Lucknow to cater to the growing healthcare demands of
WesternOdisha andif so, the details thereof;
(b) the specific measures being planned by the Government to enhance infrastructure, super-
speciality departments and research capabilities at VIMSAR to align it with global medical
educationandhealthcare standards;
(c) whether there are any proposal of the Government for increased funding and faculty
recruitment to bridge the gaps in specialized medical care in this region and if so, the details
thereof; and
(d) the manner in which such an upgradation benefit underserved communities and promote
equitableaccesstoquality healthcareinOdisha?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
(SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV)
(a) to(d) NewAll India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) are set upas Institutes of National
Importance under AIIMS Act. All AIIMS are green field projects and there is no provision to
upgrade an existing hospital into AIIMS under the Act. Under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya
Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), in the State of Odisha, an AIIMS has been set up at Bhubaneshwar
which isfully functional. Underanother component of PMSSY, upgradation of VeerSurendraSai
Institute of Medical Science and Research (VIMSAR), Burla has been taken up by way of
construction of Super Specialty Block on Centre-State cost sharing basis at a project cost of Rs.
150 Cr. (Central Share – Rs.120 Crore and State Share – Rs. 30 Crore). Under another Centrally
Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry, 35 PG seats and 100 MBBS seats have been approved in
VIMSAR,Burla with anapprovedcost of ₹ 5.40 Cr andRs.120 Cr, respectively. Out of which, the
entire Central share of Rs. 3.59 Cr for PG and Rs.72 Cr for MBBS seats has been released. For
strengthening healthinfrastructure inrural andurbanareasunderNational HealthMission (NHM),
Rs. 1916.79Cr hasbeenreleasedtoState Government of Odisha inthe FY2024-25.
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