After protest, AIIMS Delhi withdraws letter on treatment protocol for MPs, their referrals

Following a controversy and protests, the director of AIIMS Delhi has withdrawn a letter regarding treatment protocol for sitting Members of Parliament. Doctors' associations had protested against the special measures, calling them an example of "VIP culture".

Initially, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences administration had defended the letter as standard operating procedure (SOP) for MPs. AIIMS had also said that it operates a 24x7 control room, and staff is deployed to "expedite treatment for poorest of the poor".

On 21 October 2022, AIIMS Director M. Srinivas' letter to joint secretary in Lok Sabha secretariat, YM Kandpal, was withdrawn. It had spoken about streamlining treatment facilities for MPs, including OPD, emergency consultation, and hospitalisation services. It also reportedly said that other patients referred by MPs will be assisted by Media and Protocol Division.

The Federation of Resident Doctors' Association (FORDA) said that the only VIP culture should be that the more critical a patient is, the more important they should be for doctors.