Patients Sleep on AIIMS Pavements in Freezing Cold and Pollution
Outstation patients and relatives sleep on pavements outside AIIMS Delhi amid cold and pollution despite shelter homes.
Every night outside AIIMS Delhi, sick patients and their relatives face harsh conditions, sleeping on concrete pavements in freezing cold, battling pollution, and even rats. Many come from states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana, often arriving days before their appointments due to long wait times.
The struggle begins long before treatment. With online appointments booked months in advance, those without scheduled slots have no choice but to camp outside the hospital. Rupesh Kumar from Saharsa, Bihar, has been staying outside with his wife and son for six days, waiting for medical tests that are scheduled months later.
While AIIMS provides shelter facilities like Vishram Sadan and Ashray, patients say beds are often full, leaving them no option but to sleep on the streets. Meena Devi from Uttar Pradesh, visiting AIIMS with her eight-year-old grandson, recounted being denied shelter despite her inability to afford private accommodations.
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AIIMS Director M Srinivas stated that the hospital treats about 15,000 OPD patients daily and urges visitors to come with prior appointments to avoid long queues. He highlighted that the Vishram Sadan can accommodate 1,500 patients, while Ashray has a 250-person capacity, providing free food, bedding, and blankets with CRPF support.
Some patients, however, report smooth experiences. Madhvi Pandey, visiting AIIMS for her son’s treatment, praised the shelter homes for timely accommodation and amenities. Meeta Parthank, another regular visitor, confirmed consistent access to shelter facilities during her visits.
Despite these provisions, gaps in awareness, overcrowding, and delayed arrivals leave many vulnerable to inhumane conditions outside the hospital. Advocates say improving information dissemination and expanding shelter capacities could prevent such hardships, ensuring patients focus on recovery rather than survival.
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