In a letter to Union Health Minister JP Nadda, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has urged the government to bolster India’s public healthcare system at all levels, from primary to tertiary care. Gandhi emphasized the need for the central and state governments to collaborate on strengthening healthcare infrastructure and addressing systemic issues that impact patients nationwide.
Gandhi’s letter follows a recent visit to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi, where he expressed concern over the dire conditions faced by patients and their families. Describing the scene outside the prestigious medical institution, he noted that hundreds of individuals were huddled on the footpath and in the subway during the bitter winter, wrapped in thin blankets and lacking access to basic facilities like drinking water and sanitation. Many of these patients, Gandhi pointed out, had traveled from across the country, spending their life savings and enduring long wait times for medical care at the institution.
Urging immediate intervention, Gandhi called on the central government to collaborate with AIIMS, the Delhi government, and charitable organizations to provide adequate shelter, heating, bedding, and water for patients. He also recommended the expansion of permanent accommodation facilities to alleviate the suffering of those awaiting treatment. Furthermore, Gandhi proposed that steps be taken to reduce the long waiting times for medical services and suggested providing patients with information about expected wait times, which could help alleviate their uncertainty.
The opposition leader also highlighted a broader, systemic issue—AIIMS Delhi’s overwhelming patient load. He stated that millions of people across the country are unable to access affordable and quality healthcare in their own regions, which has resulted in the overburdening of institutions like AIIMS. To address this, Gandhi urged the health minister to focus on improving healthcare access nationwide.
As a practical step, Gandhi recommended that the newly established AIIMS facilities across the country be operationalized as soon as possible. He further stressed the need to enhance public healthcare infrastructure at all levels and to improve the reach and effectiveness of central healthcare schemes such as Ayushman Bharat. This, he argued, would reduce out-of-pocket expenses for patients and ensure greater access to necessary services.
In light of the upcoming Union Budget, Gandhi expressed hope that the government would use the opportunity to reassess its approach to public healthcare. He called for a substantial increase in funding for the sector, to address both immediate needs and long-term challenges.
Additionally, Gandhi reached out to Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, requesting her to take prompt action to ensure better facilities for AIIMS patients in the interim, particularly through the provision of heating, bedding, and essential services.
This call to action underscores the urgent need for reforms in India’s public healthcare system, as thousands continue to face significant hardships in accessing timely and adequate medical care.
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