NEW DELHI: Days after his visit to the AIIMS, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi wrote to Union Health Minister J P Nadda and Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, flagging the condition of hundreds of patients and their family members outside AIIMS and sought concrete steps to resolve this “humanitarian crisis”.
In a post on X, Gandhi said, “I have written letters to the Chief Minister of Delhi and the Union Health Minister to provide better facilities to the patients and their families coming to Delhi AIIMS from all over the country.”
“Recently, I saw that in freezing cold these people are forced to sleep in the subway under the metro station, where there is no provision of drinking water or a toilet. There are heaps of garbage lying around. The arrival of such a large number of patients to Delhi AIIMS also shows that people are not getting affordable and good quality health facilities where they live,” Gandhi said.
“I hope that taking cognizance of my letter, the Chief Minister of Delhi and the Union Health Minister will take immediate steps to resolve this humanitarian crisis,” he said.
In his letter to Nadda, Gandhi added that, during his recent visit to the area, he was saddened to see hundreds of patients and their family members huddled on the footpath and in the subway in the bitter winter cold.
“Many of these patients travel from across the country, spend their life savings, and wait for months on end for medical care at India’s premier medical institution.
“I am sure you will agree that no one should face such hardship, especially while already battling serious medical conditions,” he said.
In his letter to Atishi, Gandhi urged the Delhi government to take immediate and timely steps this winter.