In an unexpected move, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Hospital in New Delhi, drawing attention to the plight of patients and their families outside the hospital. During his visit, Gandhi interacted with patients and their attendants, many of whom had traveled from distant parts of the country for treatment.
Gandhi alleged that numerous families had been forced to sleep on roads, footpaths, and subways due to inadequate accommodation facilities near the hospital. He criticized the central and Delhi governments, claiming they had neglected their responsibilities toward these individuals.
“The Modi government and the Delhi government have left them to their own devices. They have turned their back on their responsibility,” said a Congress spokesperson, echoing Gandhi’s sentiments.
The visit and subsequent remarks quickly gained traction on social media, with images and videos of Gandhi interacting with patients and their families going viral. The Congress Party has used the incident to underscore what it sees as a lack of empathy and infrastructure planning by both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Delhi government.
This sudden political spotlight has put both ruling parties on the defensive. While the BJP has dismissed the visit as a publicity stunt, AAP has pointed to systemic issues inherited from past governments.
The situation raises questions about healthcare infrastructure and the challenges faced by patients seeking treatment in premier institutions like AIIMS. With Gandhi’s visit sparking a fresh political debate, it remains to be seen whether this will lead to tangible policy changes or remain a flashpoint in India’s charged political atmosphere.
This development has reignited the conversation on the need for better facilities for patients and their families in metropolitan hospitals, putting pressure on the authorities to address these long-standing issues.