New Delhi, Nov 16 (IANS) Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad Monday announced an incentive of Rs. 10 crore (Rs.100 million) for early completion of the eight referral hospitals on the lines of the the lines of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the capital.

The government has proposed the construction of eight AIIMS-like institutions across the country by 2010-2011 in a move to relieve the pressure on the premier referral institution in New Delhi.

'The hospital complex is to be built in 24 months. An incentive of Rs.10 crores will be given to the state for the early completion of work,' said Azad.

The institutes are being set up in Patna (Bihar), Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), Bhubaneswar (Orissa), Jodhpur (Rajasthan), Raipur (Chhattisgarh), Rishikesh (Uttarakhand), West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh at an estimated cost of Rs.332 crore ((Rs.3.32 billion) each.

All the hospitals would be 960-bedded and are intended to provide healthcare facilities in 39 speciality or super-speciality disciplines.

'The establishment of eight AIIMS-like institution and upgradation of 19 government medical colleges along with strengthening of health infrastructure at rural, district and state level will reduce the pressure on AIIMS,' he said.

AIIMS has emerged as country's best referral hospital with over 1,800 beds. It treats over 9,000 people daily.