How New AIIMS Logged Over 6 Crore OPD Patient Visits
The Union Health Ministry announced that new AIIMS OPD consultations have crossed six crore visits since 2021-22. Consequently, this milestone marks a transformative shift in India's tertiary healthcare access. Notably, the expansion under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana continues to bridge regional medical disparities.
Trajectory of New AIIMS OPD Consultations
Outpatient registrations have expanded rapidly over the past five financial years. For instance, patient volume rose from 50.03 lakh in 2021-22 to 77.95 lakh in 2022-23. Furthermore, registrations surged to 100.52 lakh during 2023-24 and reached 129.98 lakh in 2024-25. Subsequently, the network handled 144.96 lakh outpatient visits in 2025-26. During the current financial year up to October, the centers recorded another 97.41 lakh consultations. Thus, the cumulative footfall reached approximately 6.01 crore patients.
PMSSY Mandate and Operational Reach
The government approved 22 apex medical institutes in various phases of the scheme. Currently, 18 of these medical centers operate as fully functional tertiary care hubs. Moreover, these institutions provide comprehensive inpatient care, round-the-clock emergency services, and advanced diagnostics. Clinicians also deliver super-speciality surgical care to previously underserved populations. Therefore, patients no longer need to travel long distances to major metropolitan cities for complex treatments.
Impact on Medical Education and Clinical Training
Besides patient care, these medical institutes strengthen India's clinical training landscape. Specifically, they offer extensive undergraduate, postgraduate, and super-speciality medical education programs. In addition, new nursing colleges on these campuses build vital frontline nursing capacity. Resident doctors gain broad exposure to diverse clinical pathologies and high patient volumes. Consequently, this infrastructure enhances regional medical research and fosters evidence-based clinical practices.
Strategic Implications for Healthcare Delivery
The steady rise in patient footfall underscores immense public trust in public tertiary institutions. However, rising patient volumes also demand sustained faculty recruitment and adequate hospital infrastructure. As a result, healthcare administrators must maintain high standards of patient safety and clinical care. Furthermore, strong primary and secondary referral pathways remain essential to prevent tertiary center overcrowding. Ultimately, these institutions serve as vital anchors for equitable healthcare delivery nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How many new AIIMS hospitals are currently functional under PMSSY?
Out of 22 approved institutions, 18 new AIIMS hospitals are currently fully functional across India.
Q2: What is the total OPD footfall recorded by new AIIMS since 2021-22?
Cumulatively, the institutions recorded over 6.01 crore outpatient consultations between 2021-22 and October of the current financial year.
Q3: How do new AIIMS contribute to medical education?
These institutions provide undergraduate, postgraduate, and nursing training, significantly boosting clinical residency seats and medical research.
References
- New AIIMS hospitals record over 6 crore OPD consultations since 2021-22 - ETHealthworld
- New AIIMS cross 6 crore OPD consultations since 2021-22, expanding access to specialised tertiary healthcare across India - Press Information Bureau
- New AIIMS record over 6 crore OPD consultations, expanding access to specialised healthcare - DD News
