AIIMS Delhi Handles 15,000 Patients Daily

AIIMS Delhi, one of India's most prominent public healthcare institutions, handles an average of 14,000-15,000 patients through its Outpatient Department (OPD) every day. This immense pressure on the institution results in extended waiting periods, particularly for those who rely on public healthcare due to financial constraints.

A senior doctor at AIIMS Delhi revealed that the footfall is not the same every day, but the average is around 14,000-15,000 patients. Mondays and Thursdays tend to have a higher patient volume. The high patient volume inevitably translates into long waiting periods, making it challenging for patients to access timely medical attention.

The issue of capacity and access at AIIMS Delhi has come under scrutiny following the death of 15-year-old Tanvi from Rajasthan. Her parents claimed that the date for surgery to treat her congenital heart condition was repeatedly postponed, and the procedure ultimately never took place. AIIMS Delhi, however, stated that the surgery was not carried out after doctors determined that it was not medically feasible.

The circumstances surrounding Tanvi's death have raised questions about the difficulties of obtaining specialised treatment at an institution that caters to an exceptionally large number of patients every day. The prolonged waiting periods affect patients, particularly those from economically weaker backgrounds who rely heavily on the public healthcare system.

According to AIIMS-New Delhi's 2024-25 annual report, the institution recorded around 50 lakh outpatient visits and 3.5 lakh inpatient admissions. More than 3 lakh surgeries and procedures were carried out, with a bed occupancy of approximately 83 per cent and an average hospital stay of 9.6 days.

The report also highlighted the scale of operations across the AIIMS-New Delhi network and its various centres. The main AIIMS hospital accounted for 22,68,551 visits across its general OPD, speciality clinics, and emergency department during the year. This translates to an average of more than 6,200 patient visits each day. The facility also conducted 1,42,383 surgical procedures, amounting to roughly 390 procedures daily.

The surgical workload extends beyond the main hospital, with multiple centres sharing the burden. The institution's ability to deliver services with a high bed occupancy and average hospital stay is a testament to its commitment to providing quality healthcare to a large number of patients.

The situation at AIIMS Delhi highlights the need for increased capacity and access to public healthcare in India. The institution's efforts to provide specialised medical attention to a large number of patients are commendable, but the long waiting periods and high patient volume pose significant challenges.

In conclusion, AIIMS Delhi's handling of 15,000 patients daily is a remarkable feat, but it also underscores the need for improved healthcare infrastructure and access to public healthcare in India. The institution's commitment to providing quality healthcare to a large number of patients is laudable, but the challenges posed by the high patient volume and long waiting periods must be addressed to ensure that patients receive timely and effective medical attention.