This year's Union Budget saw the Finance Minister announce that he has allocated Rs500 crore in order to open 4 more AIIMS hospitals all over the country. In his plan he said,' We will set up 4 AIIMS in AP, WB, Vidharbha, Purvanchal, and set up new institutions within Delhi-AIIMS and Chennai-AIIMS.'
While this move seems like a step in the right direction, there are some pitfalls that might accompany this decision. According to Mr Amol Naikawadi, JMD, Indus Health Plus, 'It's good to introduce the number of AIIMS-like hospitals in the country, but this however may solve only sectional problems and might not be enough to address the healthcare needs of the entire nation. 10 new hospitals is a far too small a number for that.'
Does every state really need an AIIMS?
While cities like Mumbai and Delhi have a large number of government-run hospitals, that work as well as AIIMS for instance KEM hospital, Nair Hospital, etc. which are known for their prowess in handling delicate and serious illnesses there are those states that have no such infrastructure.
On looking a little closer at the functioning of AIIMS the hospital has courted its own fair share of controversies. In a recent report published in the Times Of India, it was found that the hospital spends close to about 20 lakh on one doctor and 34.6 lakh on super specialists. Along with this, the original AIIMS has also seen a spate of doctor leaving due to a variety of reasons including the lure of greener pastures, fatter pay checks and office politics. The institute has also faced a severe shortage in staff with nearly 47 posts of professors, additional professors (9), associate professors (16) and nursing lecturers (13) are lying empty.
On the flip-side, AIIMS has always been the epitome of medical education in the country and the beacon of hope for millions. A go-to hospital for those ailing and poor; AIIMS has always been seen as a hotspot for super specialists who excel in their fields. Also, states like AP, WB, Vidharbha, Purvanchal are in desperate need of good, government-run hospitals that can aid the sick below the poverty line.
All-in-all, while the increase in the number of AIIMS is a good move, it might not be enough to cater to the entire nation's healthcare needs.
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