India, June 26 -- The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, continues to be regarded as India's premier public healthcare institution, attracting patients from across the country and offering medical professionals a unique platform to serve the nation. For many doctors, working at AIIMS is about far more than remuneration. Medical professionals say the institute provides unparalleled exposure to some of the country's most complex and challenging cases while enabling them to contribute directly to public healthcare delivery. AIIMS has also established itself as a leader in medical innovation, particularly in the field of robot-assisted surgery. The institute is among the country's foremost centres employing robotic surgical systems and has recently intensified efforts to train surgeons and healthcare teams in these advanced techniques. Also Read - Three workers die after inhaling toxic gas inside septic tank at outer Delhi factory Despite these achievements, doctors say several longstanding challenges require urgent attention. One of the most pressing concerns relates to cancer care infrastructure. According to medical professionals, some radiotherapy equipment currently in use is nearly three decades old and requires modernisation. The strain on existing resources has also contributed to prolonged waiting periods for treatment, with cancer patients often facing delays of three to four months before beginning radiotherapy. The pressure is further compounded by the overwhelming patient load. Every day, thousands of people travel from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and several other states to seek treatment at AIIMS, often because specialised healthcare services are either unavailable or prohibitively expensive in their home regions. Doctors routinely work long hours under demanding conditions to meet this growing demand, underscoring both the institute's reputation and the mounting burden on Delhi's healthcare infrastructure. Also Read - Delhi Police nabs 255 drug offenders in 48-hour crackdown; 1,474 teams raid 4,035 spots citywide Medical professionals also point to administrative bottlenecks within the institution. As a leading teaching and research centre, AIIMS is expected to promote academic and professional development. However, many young doctors say securing institutional support for conferences, workshops and educational programmes can be a cumbersome process. Several believe similar opportunities are often easier to access in the private sector. Doctors further stress the need for stronger administrative systems and more efficient management at multiple levels. They also advocate improvements in patient amenities, noting that the large number of patients and attendants visiting the campus each day places considerable pressure on existing facilities. Enhanced sanitation, better waiting areas and more effective crowd management, they say, would significantly improve the overall patient experience. These challenges, according to some doctors, have also contributed to the departure of experienced specialists from the institute. Doctors say limited career growth, housing concerns and administrative constraints are driving talent away from AIIMS, underscoring the need for stronger institutional support.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.