Amid COVID-19 surge, AIIMS-Delhi OPD closed, routine inpatient admissions postponed

NEW DELHI: Amid a surge in coronavirus infections, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi has decided to shut its physical OPD services from Thursday (April 22, 2021) and postpone routine inpatient admissions to contain the spread of the virus and augment resources for the treatment of COVID-19 patients.

In a statement issued earlier, the AIIMS administration said, "...it has been decided to temporarily switch over from physical consultations of OPD's patients in morning OPD's as well as Speciality Clinics in AIIMS Hospital and all Centres to Teleconsultations with effect from Thursday, 22.04.2021."

The decision has been taken "in view of the increased need to minimize the possibility of community spread of ongoing COVID-19 epidemic and also to optimize diversion of available manpower and materials resources for the treatment of suspected/confirmed patients of COVID-19 and also considering the situation of total curfew announced by the Delhi government," it said.

Further, 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 postpone routine inpatient admissions in 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, the administration said.

Emergency patients who require inpatient hospitalization in general wards or such patients who are advised private wards hospitalisation owing to emergency/ semi-emergency conditions will continue to be admitted, the circular stated.

"Notwithstanding above, EHS patients will continue to be hospitalised as clinically warranted," it said. It may be noted that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced a six-day lockdown from 10 pm on Monday till 5 am next Monday in view of an exponential rise in coronavirus cases.

Delhi has been reporting around 25,000 COVID-19 cases daily in the past few days, putting tremendous pressure on its healthcare infrastructure.