New Delhi :In a significant turn of events, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi has reversed its earlier decision to suspend non-critical services until 2:30 pm tomorrow in light of the grand consecration event at the Ayodhya Ram Temple. The initial announcement, made a day ago, had prompted concerns about potential disruptions to outpatient services, as it did not explicitly clarify the availability of the Out Patient Department (OPD) services during the break.
The administrative officer of AIIMS-Delhi, Rajesh Kumar, had issued a memorandum referring to the central government’s directive for a half-day break for government employees on the same day. The memo stated, “It is notified for information of all the employees that the Institute will remain half day closed till 14.30 hrs on 22.01.2024,” while assuring that “all critical clinical services” would continue operating.
The decision faced widespread criticism, given the long waiting times for appointments at AIIMS, and the potential inconvenience caused to patients, especially those who had traveled from outside Delhi seeking healthcare at the renowned state-run facility.
In response to the outcry, AIIMS-Delhi issued a revised notification this morning, ensuring that the OPD “shall remain open to attend to patients with appointments to prevent any inconvenience to them and to facilitate patient care.”
Safdarjung Hospital, another prominent healthcare facility in the national capital, also clarified its stance. The hospital announced that OPD registration would occur between 8 am and 10 am, and all registered patients would be attended to. Pharmacy services would be available until noon, but elective surgeries would be postponed.
Previously, opposition leaders had strongly criticized AIIMS for the initial announcement. Rajya Sabha MP and Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi expressed her disapproval with a sarcastic post, urging people to avoid medical emergencies on the specified day. Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale had criticized the decision, emphasizing the inconvenience caused to individuals waiting for appointments at AIIMS.
The central government had declared a half-day leave for government employees on the same day to enable them to watch the live telecast of the pran pratishta ceremony in Ayodhya. This move had sparked discussions about priorities and the potential impact on essential services.
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