AIIMS Delhi Faces Crisis: Staff Shortages and Funding Woes

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, is regarded as the gold standard of healthcare and medical studies in India. However, some recent reports indicate that the institution is struggling with mounting challenges, including staff shortages, resource utilization, and increasing patient loads. These issues threaten the hospital’s ability to deliver quality healthcare and medical education.

The institution is currently facing a severe shortage of medical staff, with over 2,100 faculty and 430 doctor positions vacant, leading to immense work pressure on the current staff and inefficiencies. A study published in the Indian Journal of Public Health (2023) highlights how workforce shortages in tertiary care hospitals can lead to longer patient wait times and a decline in the quality of healthcare services. ^[1] Furthermore, prolonged vacancies can lead to hesitation among top talent in joining public healthcare institutions, exacerbating the crisis of brain drain happening in India.

Even though AIIMS receives substantial funding (Rs 5,200 Cr), reports suggest that nearly 18% of funds remain unutilized. A study in the Journal of Health Management (2022) found that bureaucratic red-tapism and inefficient financial planning are common barriers to optimal resource utilization. ^[2] The lack of a streamlined system for fund disbursement and expenditure allocation might be hindering necessary infrastructure development, leaving critical gaps in hospital services.

Another problem that needs attention at AIIMS, Delhi, is the retention of medical professionals in service. A 2023 survey by the Indian Medical Association reported that nearly 40% of young doctors prefer private healthcare due to better remuneration and work-life balance. This study is evidence that competitive salary and improved working conditions play an important role in retaining the cream of the talent studying at the institute. For instance, the UK has an NHS pay structure that offers structured salary increments with additional pay for overtime work, night shifts, and weekend duty hours. ^[3] Another example is Canada, which provides financial incentives for physicians working in rural and underserved areas, such as grants and student loan forgiveness. ^[4]

One of the solutions proposed by the Parliamentary Standing Committee to tackle this issue was to establish additional AIIMS near the capital institution to decrease the excessive load on the former. While these solutions may have merits, they may not solve the ongoing problems on their own. The effectiveness of such expansion will only be evident when the core issues are addressed through optimal staffing, humane working conditions, and streamlined operations.

Therefore, addressing these issues at AIIMS, Delhi, is the need of the hour, as this institute caters to patients from across India and the repercussions of these shortages are clearly reflected in the public health infrastructure nationwide.

References:

1. Mehta, V., P. Ajmera, S. Kalra, M. Miraj, R. Gallani, R. A. Shaik, H. A. Serhan, and R. Sah. "Human Resource Shortage in India's Health Sector: A Scoping Review of the Current Landscape." BMC Public Health 24, no. 1 (May 21, 2024): 1368. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18850-x.

2. Hongal, Pushpa, and Yashpal IFS. "Healthcare Management in India: Issues, Challenges and Prospects." International Journal of Engineering and Management Research 13 (2023): 73–82. https://doi.org/10.31033/ijemr.13.2.11.

3. NHS Health Careers. "Pay for Doctors." Accessed April 28, 2025. https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/doctors/pay-doctors.

4. Government of Canada. "Drawing More Doctors and Nurses to Rural and Remote Communities Through Canada Student Loan Forgiveness." March 2025. Accessed April 28, 2025. https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/news/2025/03/drawing-more-doctors-and-nurses-to-rural-and-remote-communities-through-canada-student-loan-forgiveness.html.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Sakshi Thakar/MSM)