Parliamentary Committee Calls for Immediate Action to Address the Crisis

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), India’s premier healthcare and medical education institution, is currently grappling with a severe staff shortage, further exacerbated by land acquisition delays and budgetary constraints. These challenges are impacting the quality of healthcare services, medical research, and educational programs across multiple AIIMS campuses.

Severe Shortage of Faculty and Non-Faculty Staff
Recent reports indicate that AIIMS New Delhi, the flagship institution of the AIIMS network, has 34.8% of its sanctioned faculty positions and 16.29% of non-faculty positions vacant. The shortage has resulted in an increased workload on the existing medical staff, potentially affecting patient care and academic activities.

The staffing crisis extends beyond the New Delhi campus, with several newly established AIIMS institutions facing even more severe vacancies. AIIMS Guwahati and AIIMS Kalyani, two of the latest additions to the AIIMS network, have 43% and 39.4% of their faculty positions unfilled, respectively. This lack of specialized medical professionals has significantly impacted healthcare delivery in these regions, limiting the number of operational beds and delaying patient treatments.

Land Acquisition and Budgetary Constraints Hindering Expansion
In addition to staffing shortages, AIIMS is also facing challenges related to land acquisition and budgetary allocations, which have slowed the development of new campuses and the expansion of existing facilities. AIIMS Kozhikode in Kerala, a much-anticipated project, has been delayed due to incomplete land acquisition, despite the state government acquiring over 150 acres out of the required 200 acres. The delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of establishing the institute within the proposed timeframe.

Similar issues have been reported in other states where new AIIMS campuses are being planned. Financial constraints, along with bureaucratic hurdles, have stalled the construction and operationalization of these critical healthcare institutions.

Government and Parliamentary Committee Interventions
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare has expressed deep concern over the current situation, urging the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to take immediate steps to address the crisis. The committee has recommended the following measures:

Expedited Recruitment Process: A streamlined and transparent hiring mechanism to fill all vacant positions promptly.
Competitive Compensation Packages: Improved salary structures and incentives to attract and retain qualified medical professionals.
Increased Budgetary Allocation: Additional financial support to overcome land acquisition issues and infrastructure development.
Strengthening AIIMS Expansion Strategy: A comprehensive plan to ensure smooth establishment and operationalization of new AIIMS campuses.

As AIIMS plays a crucial role in providing affordable and high-quality healthcare to millions of Indians, addressing these challenges is imperative. Immediate action from the government, medical authorities, and all stakeholders is essential to ensure AIIMS continues to uphold its reputation as a center of medical excellence.

The crisis highlights the urgent need for long-term strategic planning, adequate resource allocation, and efficient administrative execution to maintain AIIMS’ standing as a world-class healthcare institution