New Delhi, Jan 20 (UNI) Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday wrote to Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Delhi Chief Minister Atishi stating that condition of patients and their families outside AIIMS, Delhi was “distressing” and urged their “prompt intervention on this pressing humanitarian issue”.
In his letter, Gandhi urged the Union Health Minister and the Delhi Chief Minister to provide better facilities to the patients and their families coming to Delhi AIIMS from all over the country.
Rahul said that he was writing after seeing the “distressing situation outside AIIMS, Delhi” during his recent visit there.
The former Congress President said that patients coming to Delhi for treatment are forced to sleep under the metro station in this freezing cold. They have neither drinking water nor toilet facilities. There is heaps of garbage lying around.
He urged the Union Health Minister and the Delhi CM to take immediate and timely steps to resolve this humanitarian crisis.
The leader of opposition said that the Union government should work with the AIIMS leadership, Delhi government and charitable organisations to provide heating, bedding, water and shelter to patients and expand permanent facilities for accommodation.
The Raebareli MP also urged the Government to strengthen the public healthcare infrastructure at all levels in partnership with state governments.
He said, “The sharp rise in the costs of private healthcare also deserves detailed scrutiny”.
“I hope the government will use the upcoming Budget to review its overall approach, and substantially increase its investment in public healthcare. I request your prompt intervention on this pressing humanitarian issue,” Gandhi said in his letter.
