Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has highlighted the dire conditions faced by patients and their families outside Delhi’s AIIMS, urging Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda and Delhi Chief Minister Atishi to take immediate action. Gandhi described the situation as a "humanitarian crisis" and called for concrete steps to alleviate the suffering of those seeking medical care.
In a post on X, Gandhi shared that he recently witnessed patients and their families enduring freezing temperatures on footpaths and subways near AIIMS. He noted the lack of basic facilities like drinking water, sanitation, or shelter, amid heaps of garbage. The arrival of patients from across the country, he added, underscores the inadequacy of accessible and affordable healthcare in many regions.
In his letter to Nadda, Gandhi stressed the need for a collaborative effort between the central government, AIIMS, Delhi authorities, and charitable organizations to provide temporary relief, including shelter, heating, and basic amenities. He also called for systemic changes, urging the government to strengthen public healthcare infrastructure, operationalize new AIIMS facilities across India, and expand schemes like Ayushman Bharat to reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
Addressing Atishi, Gandhi requested immediate interventions during the winter and proposed exploring permanent solutions for accommodating patients and their families. He reiterated his commitment to supporting efforts aimed at reducing their hardship.
The Congress leader had recently interacted with patients and their families outside AIIMS, who expressed frustration over long waiting times, lack of accommodations, and the financial burden of private healthcare. Gandhi criticized the central and state governments for their "insensitivity" and urged them to prioritize healthcare reforms in the upcoming budget.