Two days after it temporarily stopped routine OPD (Outpatient Department) for two weeks, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) clarified on Thursday that the OPD services would continue as usual.
“Reference circular on ‘Temporary suspension of routine OPD admission’ dated September 1, this is to clarify that OPD services at AIIMS, New Delhi, will continue as usual,” the statement said. It did not mention the reason for withdrawing the order.
It has has come as a great relief to many patients and their relatives like Rashmi Juneja whose younger brother is admitted at the hospital for serious liver ailment.
“Doctors have recommended his discharge and home care. But I am worried that what will happen if my brother’s situation worsens again. Good that they dropped the idea of suspending the OPD services,” she said.
Earlier on Tuesday, AIIMS had decided to temporarily stop its routine OPD admissions for two weeks in view of the need to optimise usage of available inpatient beds for hospitalisation.
“In view of the need to optimise usage of available inpatient beds for hospitalisation of seriously ill emergency/semi-emergency patients, it has been decided to temporarily stop routine OPD admissions to general wards as well as private wards in AIIMS Hospital and all Centres with immediate effect for a period of two weeks which will be reviewed after that,” said the statement.