Ram Mandir Inauguration: After Outrage Over Half-Day On 22nd Jan, AIIMS Reverses Holiday Order

Several top central government medical institutes and hospitals, including AIIMS, Safdarjung, and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, where thousands of patients across the country receive treatment, were ordered to remain shut for a half-day on January 22.

Official orders from the Centre-run hospitals state that medical services such as OPDs, radiology, diagnostic labs, and in-house pharmacy stores will be closed for a fixed time period, with emergency services operating as usual.

Controversial Decision Draws Criticism

The decision to temporarily close these hospitals has faced sharp criticism from a section of netizens and opposition leaders, questioning the government's move to disrupt essential services. The move has sparked a debate on prioritizing a political event over public health services.

Social media platforms have become a space for public expression, with users voicing their opinions on the controversial decision. Criticism has been directed towards the government's prioritization of a political event over the uninterrupted operation of vital healthcare services.

Opposition Leaders Slam AIIMS Shutdown

Delhi's central government-run hospitals, including AIIMS, Safdarjung Hospital, and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, have declared that they will remain closed until 2:30 pm on January 22. The decision is attributed to the Ram Mandir Pran Pratistha ceremony in Ayodhya. All services, except critical and emergency services, will be halted during this period.

AIIMS resumes OPDs on January 22

According to ANI, The Outpatient Department shall remain open to attend patients with appointments tomorrow, Monday 22nd January. The AIIMS-Delhi has reversed its decision to stay closed for half on the occasion of Ayodhya Ram temple's consecration ceremony on Monday, NDTV reported citing sources. The premier health institute had come under fire for its decision, with many citing trouble that the move may cause for people needing urgent treatment.

Opposition Criticisms over the Notoice

AIIMS, Delhi, issued an official notice declaring January 22 as a half-day holiday until 2:30 pm. Notably, the OPDs are usually closed on Sundays and Gazetted holidays like Christmas and Eid. Further, all the cases that come in emergency are taken as usual in all three hospitals, as per sources.

Leaders from opposition parties have criticized the move, with Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi expressing concerns about the disruption in health services during the closure. Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale pointed out the inconvenience faced by people waiting for appointments at AIIMS gates, highlighting the potential impact on the poor and those in critical conditions.

Reacting to the notice, Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale claimed that there is "literally people sleeping outside in the cold at AIIMS gates waiting for an appointment". "The poor & dying can wait because priority is given to Modi's desperation for cameras & PR," Gokhale said.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said, "Hello humans. Please don't go into a medical emergency on 22nd , and if you do schedule it for post 2pm since AIIMS Delhi is taking time off to welcome Maryada Purushottam Ram." She added, "...wonder if Lord Ram would agree that health services are disrupted to welcome him. Hey Ram, Hey Ram!"

Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed also reacted sharply to the decision and wrote, "It is beyond belief that the lives of patients are being put in danger, just because @narendramodi wants uninterrupted coverage of his political event."