On Thursday evening, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited patients and their families who were camping outside the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi. These individuals, many of whom had traveled long distances from various parts of the country, were waiting for medical treatment but were forced to stay on the streets, footpaths, and subways due to the overcrowding at the hospital and the absence of proper accommodation.
During his visit, Gandhi spoke with multiple patients and their attendants, listening to their grievances and difficulties related to the healthcare system. The patients, suffering from various medical conditions, were seeking treatment at AIIMS, one of India’s most prominent medical institutions. However, due to the high number of patients and long waiting periods, they were left with no option but to sleep outside, enduring harsh weather conditions. In many cases, these individuals had been waiting for months, with no clear timeline for when they would receive treatment.
In his social media post, Gandhi expressed concern about the lack of basic facilities for these patients. He described their situation, saying, "On their path to get treatment, they are forced to sleep on roads, footpaths, and subways – just keeping a flame of hope burning amidst the cold ground, hunger, and inconveniences." The freezing temperatures, lack of proper shelter, and inadequate food options have made it difficult for many of these patients and their families to cope with the prolonged waiting times.
Gandhi criticized both the Central and Delhi governments, stating that they had failed to fulfill their responsibility to the public. He pointed out that while patients waited for treatment, they were subjected to significant hardship, and there was no effort from the authorities to provide them with shelter or assistance. He said that the patients were forced to endure severe discomfort, without receiving the necessary help from the government to ensure their well-being.
Some patients, including children with serious health conditions such as cancer, shared their stories with Gandhi. One patient mentioned that they had been waiting for treatment since December, yet there had been no substantial progress in their medical care. Another patient explained the hardships they had faced, including having to sleep on the footpath in sub-zero temperatures while trying to access the treatment they needed.
The situation at AIIMS highlights the increasing pressure on India’s healthcare system, particularly in large cities like Delhi. Despite AIIMS being one of the country’s most prestigious hospitals, reports of overcrowding and long waiting periods for treatment have become common. The hospital has been facing challenges in handling the growing number of patients, and the lack of adequate infrastructure and resources has led to difficulties in providing timely care.
This issue has become a point of concern ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections scheduled for February 2025. Healthcare has emerged as a key topic in the political discourse, with questions being raised about the state of public health services in the city. Gandhi’s visit to AIIMS and his criticism of the government come as part of his continued engagement with issues affecting common people, particularly in the context of the upcoming elections.