The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi on Sunday said that its OPD services will remain open for patients with appointment on January 22.
Earlier, the hospital had announced OPD services will remain shut till 2:30 PM on January 22 for the mega consecration ceremony of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
The hospital said that appointments will be rescheduled.
“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,” it said.
This sparked massive public outrage and strong criticism from the Opposition parties.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi said,”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. PS: However, wonder if Lord Ram would agree that health services are disrupted to welcome him. Hey Ram, Hey Ram!”
TMC MP Saket Gokhale highlighted that people are literally sleeping outside the AIIMS gates waiting for their appointment.
“India’s largest Government Hospital AIIMS Delhi will remain closed till 2:30 pm on Monday. There are literally people sleeping outside in the cold at AIIMS gates waiting for an appointment. The poor and dying can wait because priority is given to Modi’s desperation for cameras and PR,” TMC Gokhale wrote.
The Congress also criticised the hospital’s decision and claimed it was done to ensure uninterrupted coverage to Modi’s “political event”.
“It is beyond belief that the lives of patients are being put in danger, just because Narendra Modi wants uninterrupted coverage of his political event. Does this man’s megalomania have any limit!,” the party said.