After half-holiday decision, AIIMS Delhi now says OPD to remain open tomorrow

An official memorandum by AIIMS, Delhi had earlier noted that the Government has declared half-day holiday on January 22 in view of the Ram temple consecration ceremony.

New Delhi: The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here said it will remain open on Monday, reversing its earlier decision to shut OPD services till 2:30 PM due to the Ram temple inauguration in Ayodhya that attracted widespread criticism.

Another Delhi hospital — the Lady Hardinge Medical College too announced that all services, including OPD and emergency, also announced that it will remain open throughout Monday.

In a fresh order, the AIIMS said on Sunday, "in continuation of the Office Memorandum dated January 20, all clinical services including the Outpatient Services (OPD) shall remain open to prevent any inconvenience to patients and to facilitate patient care services."

On Saturday, the AIIMS had said that the government has declared a half-day holiday on January 22 because of the Ram temple consecration ceremony and it will remain closed till 2:30 AM on Monday while critical and emergency services functional.

Separately, the Alliance of Doctors for Ethical Healthcare (ADEH) in a statement demanded that the hospitals should remain open on January 22.

“We are dismayed at the sudden announcement that on January 22...hospitals have been asked to close down. When any hospital shuts down suddenly it is quite challenging for patients. Medical service is a humanitarian cause. Such a directive from the government is against the medical ethics per se. Of course at personal level anyone could take off to participate in the event if he or she wishes so."

"We the concerned doctors appeal to the government to keep the hospitals open and let them function normally so as to serve the people who need medical care. We also request the government to think of keeping all religious events as an optional holiday instead of a general holiday henceforth," the ADEH said.