After “VIP Culture” Protest, AIIMS Withdraws Letter On Treatment Of MPs
The director of the premier government hospital in the nation withdrew the letter he had written outlining the special preparations made for MPs and those that they had suggested. The “VIP culture” had been criticised by medical associations and campaigners, but the institute had countered that they were merely the MPs’ SOPs, or Standing Operating Procedures.
The AIIMS further tweeted that it has “always maintained a 24-7 control room for co-ordination of medical care of patients from all walks of life,” adding that staff is deployed to “expedite treatment for lowest of the poor” in an apparent effort to refute the “VIP” claim.
At the overworked AIIMS, large crowds and lengthy lines are commonplace, and it can frequently take hours to create a consultation card for OPD. The Emergency is frequently stretched to its bounds as well.
In a letter that has since been withdrawn, the director of AIIMS recommended streamlining MP-specific hospitalisation, emergency consultation, and outpatient department (OPD) services.
One of its eleven recommendations was that the Media and Protocol Division would give “appropriate assistance” to “all other patients” who were referred to AIIMS by MPs.
According to Dr. M. Srinivas’ letter to Y.M. Kandpal, if the MP needs OPD consultation, their staff merely needs to discuss the specifics with the AIIMS duty officer. The doctor will then be contacted by the duty officer to schedule the appointment, it stated. It said, “If necessary, we can also speak to the Chief of Centre or the Head of the relevant department.”
The letter stated that an emergency call-the-duty-officer special service is available.
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