Archive · 6 Jan 2026
Patients, Relatives Sleep Outside AIIMS Amid Harsh Conditions
Many sick people and their families come to AIIMS, a big hospital in Delhi, for treatment.
But there aren't enough places for them to stay, so they have to sleep outside.
It's very cold, and there are rats around.
Some people have to wait a long time, even years, to see a doctor.
The hospital says they have shelters, but sometimes they are full.
Some people who stay there say it's good, but others can't find a place and have to sleep on the ground.
It's very hard for them, especially because they are already sick.
Patients and relatives sleep outside AIIMS Delhi due to lack of shelter and long appointment waits.
Harsh conditions include cold, pollution, and rats, with some patients waiting years for treatment.
AIIMS has shelters like 'Vishram Sadan' and 'Ashray', but they are often full or patients lack awareness.
Some patients report successful stays at AIIMS shelters, while others are turned away.
The hospital director encourages prior appointments to reduce queues and provides free shelter and food.
- Who
- Patients and their relatives from various states
- What
- Forced to sleep outside AIIMS due to lack of shelter and long appointment waits
- When
- Every winter, with some patients waiting for years for treatment
- Where
- Outside AIIMS Delhi, India's largest government hospital
- Why
- Due to long waiting periods for appointments and limited shelter availability
- Hospital
- AIIMS Delhi
- Daily OPD Patients
- 15,000
- Vishram Sadan Capacity
- 1,500 beds
- Ashray Capacity
- 250 persons
- Appointment Wait Time
- Up to 8 months
- Treatment Cost for Meena Devi's Grandson
- Rs 34,500
- States Patients Come From
- Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, and others