Humanitarian Crisis: Rahul Gandhi Appeals for Patient Care Improvements at AIIMS

New Delhi, Jan 20 (NationPress) The Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has reached out to Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced facilities for patients and their families at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi.

"During my recent visit, I was disheartened to find numerous patients and their relatives huddled on the sidewalk and in the subway amid the severe winter chill, relying on only thin blankets for warmth, and lacking access to drinking water or sanitation facilities.

"Many of these patients journey from various parts of the nation, depleting their life savings, and enduring long waits for medical treatment at India's leading healthcare institution. I believe you would concur that no one should endure such adversity, particularly while facing serious health challenges," LoP Rahul Gandhi stated in his correspondence.

Further detailing the situation at AIIMS, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said, "I observed patients and their families compelled to sleep in frigid conditions beneath the metro station adjacent to AIIMS. They lack basic amenities like drinking water or toilets, and the surroundings are littered with garbage. This scenario not only signifies the neglect of these individuals but also underscores the deficiencies in providing affordable and quality healthcare in their home regions."

Highlighting the humanitarian aspect, LoP Gandhi expressed hope that his letter would inspire prompt action.

"I call upon the Chief Minister of Delhi and the Union Health Minister to address this crisis without delay. Moreover, I hope the Central government allocates substantial resources in the upcoming budget to enhance the public healthcare system," he added.

Rahul Gandhi also pointed out the overwhelming burden on AIIMS Delhi, labeling it a national issue.

"The Government of India must collaborate with the AIIMS administration, the Government of Delhi, and charitable organizations to provide heating, bedding, water, and shelter for patients, and to expand accommodation facilities. Furthermore, tackling long wait times at each treatment stage and providing patients with information on wait durations would alleviate their uncertainty," Rahul Gandhi remarked.

"As a preliminary measure, prioritizing the operationalization of the newly-established AIIMS facilities throughout the nation should be essential to alleviate the pressure on Delhi's AIIMS," the former Congress chief advised.

Additionally, LoP Gandhi advocated for comprehensive reforms in public healthcare infrastructure, asserting, "It is vital to fortify the healthcare system at all levels—primary, secondary, and tertiary—through cooperative efforts with state governments. Central initiatives like Ayushman Bharat should be evaluated and expanded to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for patients by broadening eligibility, increasing the number of empaneled hospitals, and covering a wider array of conditions."

In response to the escalating costs of private healthcare, Rahul Gandhi called for thorough scrutiny to ensure affordability and accessibility for the populace.

"The significant rise in private healthcare expenses further burdens families and requires immediate investigation," Rahul Gandhi asserted.