The decision to close Delhi’s central government-run hospitals, including AIIMS, Safdarjung, and Ram Manohar Lohia, till 2.30 pm on January 22 for the Ram Mandir Pran Pratistha ceremony in Ayodhya has sparked criticism from opposition leaders. The move has raised concerns about the potential disruption of health services and its impact on patients in need of medical attention during the closure.
In an official notice, AIIMS, Delhi, announced that the central government had declared January 22 as a half-day holiday till 2.30 pm. The notice stated, “It is notified for information of all the employees that the institute will remain half-day closed till 2.30 pm on January 22. All Chiefs of Centres, Heads of the Departments, Units, and Branch Officers are requested to bring this to the notice of all staff working under them.” However, it clarified that all critical clinical services would remain functional.
Opposition leaders, including those from the Shiv Sena, Trinamool Congress (TMC), and Congress, criticized the decision, pointing out the potential risks to patients and questioning the priorities behind the hospital closures during a significant religious ceremony.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi expressed concern over the disruption of health services, tweeting, “Hello humans. Please don’t go into a medical emergency on 22nd, and if you do schedule it for post 2 pm since AIIMS Delhi is taking time off to welcome Maryada Purushottam Ram.” She added, “…wonder if Lord Ram would agree that health services are disrupted to welcome him. Hey Ram, Hey Ram!”
Hello humans
Please don’t go into a medical emergency on 22nd , and if you do schedule it for post 2pm since AIIMS Delhi is taking time off to welcome Maryada Purushottam Ram
PS: However, wonder if Lord Ram would agree that health services are disrupted to welcome him.
Hey… pic.twitter.com/efNjX9B0VO
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) January 20, 2024
Chaturvedi highlighted the impact on patients by stating, “RML joins the list. All those who say what’s the big deal, I request you all to visit the OPDs and emergency services offered by these hospitals and how people from far-flung towns queue up for days, not merely a few hours, to get their advice/treatment.”
Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale criticized the decision, emphasizing the challenges faced by patients. He mentioned, “There are literally people sleeping outside in the cold at AIIMS gates waiting for an appointment. The poor & dying can wait because priority is given to Modi’s desperation for cameras & PR.”
Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed also expressed strong disapproval of the move, stating, “It is beyond belief that the lives of patients are being put in danger, just because @narendramodi wants uninterrupted coverage of his political event.”
While the hospitals announced the closure, they assured that critical clinical services would continue to operate. However, the opposition leaders argue that the disruption caused by the closure could pose risks to patients and that the priorities behind the decision are questionable.
The circular from Safdarjung Hospital outlined that the registration timing for OPD services on January 22 would be between 8 am and 10 am. Similarly, the Lady Hardinge Hospital’s circular mentioned, “The Outpatient Department of the Hospitals shall function on Monday with patient registration from 8-10 am, and all registered patients should be attended to.”
The closure of hospitals during significant events or ceremonies often sparks debate about balancing religious or cultural observances with the need to maintain essential services for public health. In this case, the opposition leaders’ criticism underscores the importance of ensuring continuous access to medical care and the potential challenges faced by patients during temporary closures of healthcare institutions.
