Parliamentary Committee Calls for Urgent Action
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), India’s premier healthcare and medical education institution, is struggling with a severe staff shortage. Land acquisition delays and budgetary constraints have further worsened the situation, affecting healthcare services, medical research, and educational programs across multiple AIIMS campuses.
Severe Shortage of Medical and Non-Medical Staff
AIIMS New Delhi, the flagship institution, has nearly 34.8% of its sanctioned faculty positions and 16.29% of non-faculty positions vacant. This shortage places an immense workload on existing medical professionals, potentially compromising patient care and academic activities.
Newly established AIIMS institutions are also facing extreme staff shortages. AIIMS Guwahati has 43% of its faculty positions unfilled, while AIIMS Kalyani is operating with a 39.4% faculty vacancy. These shortages have led to delays in patient treatment and a reduced number of operational beds, severely impacting healthcare services in these regions.
Land Acquisition and Budget Constraints Delay Expansion
Apart from staffing issues, AIIMS is also facing roadblocks in land acquisition and budget allocations, slowing the development of new campuses. AIIMS Kozhikode in Kerala, for instance, has been delayed due to incomplete land acquisition. Despite the state government acquiring over 150 acres out of the required 200 acres, bureaucratic delays have stalled the project, raising concerns about its timely completion.
Similar problems persist in other states where AIIMS campuses are under development. Financial constraints and administrative bottlenecks have hindered construction and delayed operationalization, leaving critical healthcare infrastructure incomplete.
Government and Parliamentary Recommendations
As reported by economictimes, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare has raised serious concerns and urged the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to take immediate action. The committee has proposed the following measures:
- Accelerated Recruitment Process: Implement a streamlined and transparent hiring mechanism to fill all vacant positions swiftly.
- Competitive Salaries and Incentives: Offer better compensation packages to attract and retain top medical professionals.
- Increased Budget Allocation: Provide additional financial support to resolve land acquisition issues and infrastructure development.
- Strengthened Expansion Strategy: Develop a structured plan to ensure the timely establishment and operation of new AIIMS campuses.
The Need for Immediate Action
AIIMS plays a vital role in delivering affordable and high-quality healthcare to millions of Indians. To uphold its reputation as a center of medical excellence, the government and relevant authorities must act immediately. Strategic long-term planning, proper resource allocation, and efficient administrative execution are crucial to ensuring AIIMS remains a world-class healthcare institution.