“Hundreds Of Patients On Footpath”: Rahul Gandhi Writes To Centre, Atishi

New Delhi:
On January 20, 2025, in New Delhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, addressed a pressing humanitarian issue by writing to Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Delhi Chief Minister Atishi. Gandhi’s letter highlighted the dire conditions faced by patients and their families outside the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), a situation he described as “distressing.”
Gandhi’s concerns were prompted by a recent visit to AIIMS, where he witnessed patients from across the country enduring harsh conditions, including freezing temperatures and lack of basic amenities such as drinking water, toilet facilities, and proper shelter. Many of these individuals are forced to camp on footpaths and subways near the hospital, exacerbating their suffering.
In his letter, Gandhi emphasized the need for immediate relief measures, urging the Union Health Ministry and the Delhi Government to collaborate with AIIMS authorities and charitable organizations. He recommended the provision of temporary facilities, including heating, bedding, clean water, and adequate shelter, to alleviate the suffering of those waiting for treatment.
Gandhi also called for long-term solutions, such as the expansion of permanent accommodation facilities for patients and their families. He stressed the importance of strengthening public healthcare infrastructure through a collaborative effort between the central government and state administrations. The Congress leader pointed out that the overburdening of AIIMS is a result of “crores of people” lacking access to affordable and high-quality healthcare in their local areas.
“I urge you as Health Minister, to recognise and address this systemic issue,” Gandhi wrote. “The new AIIMS facilities across the country should be operationalised at the earliest. Public healthcare infrastructure should be strengthened at all levels, from primary to tertiary, in partnership with the state government.”
Gandhi suggested a review of central healthcare schemes like Ayushman Bharat to reduce patient out-of-pocket expenses by expanding eligibility, hospitals enrolled, and conditions covered. He also highlighted the need for detailed scrutiny of the rising costs of private healthcare and hoped that the upcoming Budget would prioritize a significant increase in investment in public healthcare.
During his visit, Gandhi interacted with several patients and their families camping on the roads and subways around AIIMS, listening to their grievances about the lack of accommodation and long waiting times for appointments. He expressed his sadness at seeing patients in the bitter cold with only thin blankets and without basic facilities like drinking water or sanitation.
Gandhi urged the Delhi government to take immediate steps to provide heating, bedding, water, and shelter to patients seeking medical care from AIIMS. He advocated for more permanent solutions, such as building and expanding permanent facilities to accommodate patients.