Will more AIIMS dilute brand? AIIMS Delhi raises apprehensions

NEW DELHI: At a time when all states are vying to get their own AIIMS, the parent institution, AIIMS Delhi, has raised apprehensions about dilution of its brand name. The premier medical institute, officials said, has offered to mentor the six new AIIMS for setting standards for patient care, training and infrastructure in the upcoming facilities.

"We are not trying to act like big brothers. But it is important to share information so that the newer institutions can benefit from our experiences," said Dr M C Misra, director of the Delhi AIIMS. The institute has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with new AIIMS for having bi-annual meetings for review of patient care standards. It has also called for having a common appointment system across all AIIMS and cross referral system to maintain the quality of doctors.

Dr Deepak Agarwal, chairman of the computerization committee, said the meetings of directors or department heads could be conducted in person or over video conferencing with AIIMS Delhi moderating the session.

At present, there are six new AIIMS in Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Jodhpur, Patna, Raipur and Rishikesh. Two more are planned in Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh and Raiganj in West Bengal. Recently, there were massive protests in Jammu over the demand for setting up of another AIIMS in the region.

A senior doctor, who did not want to be quoted, said the creation of new AIIMS without ensuring its essential infrastructure and quality has already affected the brand. "The new AIIMS, which have come up in the Capital cities of different states, are not picking up even in the eyes of students. They are preferring the established state medical colleges, for example PMCH in Patna, over the new AIIMS. Many of the new institutions have failed to fill up all seats for undergraduate courses," the doctor said.

In terms of patient care, he added, the new medical institutions are serving as mere general hospitals. "There are few super-specialties, for example neurosurgery, cardiothoracic and vascular sciences. The senior doctors are not willing to join AIIMS since the infrastructure is not up to the mark," said another expert. He said the announcements of opening new AIIMS, IITs or IIMS being set up in different regions may yield some brownie points in the short run, but that is likely to be short-lived.

The situation at AIIMS' Jhajjar unit is equally bad. More than a year after it was started, the medical facility continues to offer only consultation services and it is being run from porta cabins.