AIIMS Announces Major Winter Shelter Initiative for Patients
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has made a significant commitment to address the plight of patients and their attendants sleeping outdoors during winter. In a formal submission to the Delhi High Court on Friday, AIIMS declared it will construct a massive 3,000-bed Vishram Sadan, or rest house. This facility aims to provide proper accommodation for those currently forced to sleep on the streets near the hospital complex.
Court Directive Spurs Immediate Action
This announcement comes directly in response to a directive from the Delhi High Court. Earlier in the week, the court took suo motu cognizance of distressing media reports. These reports highlighted how overcrowded night shelters were compelling patients awaiting treatment and their family members to endure the harsh cold in the open. The bench, comprising Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia, had promptly ordered the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) to take temporary control of subways around major hospitals. The court mandated immediate arrangements, including the provision of beds.
AIIMS, through its counsel Satya Ranjan Swain, presented a detailed report outlining its plan. The institute stated it has already offered a suitable parcel of land to DUSIB. This land will be used to erect approximately 80 pagoda tents as an interim measure to alleviate the crisis.
Details of the Proposed Vishram Sadan
The proposed 3,000-bed rest house represents a tenfold expansion of the current facility. It is slated to be built on roughly two acres of land located in Ansari Nagar (West). This new Vishram Sadan will completely replace the existing 300-bed structure.
According to the AIIMS report, the Sevadaan Arogya Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Ahmedabad, has expressed its willingness to develop the project. The construction is expected to take around two years to complete once initiated.
Court's Positive Response and On-Ground Measures
The High Court bench welcomed AIIMS's proposal, noting it would significantly help solve the problem of homeless patients and attendants. The judges emphasized their expectation that the facility be completed in the minimum possible time.
Simultaneously, DUSIB's counsel informed the court about swift on-ground actions. He reported that 20 new pagoda tents have already been set up near AIIMS and Safdarjung Hospital, with more planned by evening. Additionally, 20 tents each have been erected near RML Hospital and Lady Hardinge Hospital to provide immediate relief.
Legal Proceedings and Public Intervention
In a related development, the court permitted an individual, Dushyant Semwal, to intervene in the case. Represented by advocates Simran Chawdhary and Shambhavi Singh, Semwal will assist the court by providing suggestions from time to time. This move underscores the public interest nature of the proceedings and the court's openness to broader civic engagement in addressing this humanitarian issue.
The court's proactive stance and AIIMS's substantial commitment mark a critical step toward ensuring dignity and safety for some of the most vulnerable individuals in the capital's healthcare ecosystem during the harsh winter months.
