Rs.93 bn more for setting up six AIIMS-like institutions

New Delhi, March 19 : The cabinet Friday approved an additional Rs.93.07 billion for setting up six institutions patterned on the premier All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and for upgrading 13 existing government medical colleges.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had earlier approved Rs.39.75 billion under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana.

"Due to substantial changes in the cost and scope of work, the requirement of funds has trebled necessitating a fresh cabinet approval," Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni told reporters after a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The new institutions and upgraded facilities in the existing medical colleges would provide tertiary care facilities.

The new AIIMS-like institutions located at Bhopal, Raipur, Bhubaneswar, Patna, Jodhpur and Rishikesh will be complete by the end of 2012.