Rahul Gandhi meets patients, families outside AIIMS Delhi, says 'They've turned it into a joke'

Rahul Gandhi with patients and their families around AIIMS Delhi.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi hit out at the Centre as he met several patients and their families camped on the roads, footpaths and subways around AIIMS Delhi.

His visit to the esteemed hospital came just a few days ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections.

In a video posted on X on Saturday, Rahul Gandhi can be heard criticising the central government and the Delhi government for showing “insensitivity” towards them.

AIIMS ! AIIMS , , , - ? pic.twitter.com/wwnm8Fc3i8

Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 18, 2025

“Hell outside AIIMS! Poor patients and their families from across the country are forced to sleep outside AIIMS amidst the cold, filth, and hunger. They have no shelter, no food, no toilets, and no drinking water. Why have the central and Delhi governments, who make tall claims, turned a blind eye to this humanitarian crisis?” Rahul Gandhi's post read in Hindi on X.

As Gandhi met with the patients and their families putting up outside the hospital amid cold wave conditions, he enquired about their problems and grievances.

In the video, Rahul Gandhi can also be heard saying, “This is completely ridiculous. People here… they are suffering; they are dying… Mazak bana ke rakkha hai (They have turned it into a joke).”

“On their path to get treatment, they are forced to sleep on roads, footpaths and subways - just keeping a flame of hope burning amidst the cold ground, hunger, and inconveniences,” Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on Instagram on Friday.

Voting for the Delhi Assembly elections will take place in a single phase on February 5. The counting is votes is scheduled for February 8.

AIIMS Delhi responds

Reacting to Rahul Gandhi claims, AIIMS Delhi spokesperson Dr Rima Dada said that AIIMS provides the best quality treatment and 35,000-40,000 patients visit for the treatment.

Further, issuing clarification over the video posted by Rahul Gandhi on X, AIIMS said that the video doesn't qualify whether all patients shown therein belong to AIIMS Delhi.

Speaking to ANI, Dr Rima Dada, said, "AIIMS Delhi is the largest tertiary research and referral hospital in the nation. We provide the best comprehensive care to all the patients. Every day a total of 35,000-40,000 people visit AIIMS Delhi. We provide healthcare at a very cheap price."