Thousands of Vacant Positions Affect Medical Services
New Delhi: The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) is grappling with a severe staff shortage, with 430 doctor positions and 2,109 faculty posts lying vacant. A recent parliamentary standing committee report highlighted a significant shortfall in various staff categories at the country’s premier medical institute.
Currently, 34.8% of sanctioned faculty positions remain unfilled, while non-faculty vacancies stand at 16.29% of the approved strength. Additionally, the institute faces a shortage of senior residents (37.48% vacant) and junior residents (46.89% vacant). AIIMS has been relying on 12,213 outsourced non-faculty staff to bridge the gap.
Recruitment and Compensation Concerns
The committee urged the health ministry to offer competitive compensation packages to attract skilled professionals and expedite the hiring process. “AIIMS should implement a streamlined recruitment strategy, including targeted outreach, to address these shortages,” the report stated.
Long Wait Times and Need for Expansion
With critical patients facing long waiting times, the committee recommended the construction of a second AIIMS facility in the National Capital Region (NCR) to ease the burden on the existing institution.
Master Plan Delays Due to Land and Budget Issues
The ambitious AIIMS master plan, aimed at transforming the institute into a world-class medical university, has faced delays due to land acquisition and budget approvals. The report also raised concerns about budget underutilization, noting that only 81.96% of the 2024-25 revised estimate had been spent by January.
Key issues hampering progress include slow project implementation, delays in the tendering process, and environmental and regulatory challenges. The committee recommended a thorough review of AIIMS’ residential redevelopment project, which has made minimal progress—only 2.50% physical and 3.68% financial completion.
Improving Patient Services and Reducing Overcrowding
To address patient overcrowding, the committee suggested expanding temporary shelter facilities (‘Ashray’), adding more weather-protected waiting areas with seating, clean washrooms, and affordable food options. It also emphasized the need to streamline OPD appointment systems to reduce long wait times.
“Enhancing patient convenience and reducing hardships for attendants should be a priority,” the report stated, highlighting the urgent need for systemic improvements at AIIMS.
