Despite World-Class Care at AIIMS and Safdarjung, Lack of Awareness Forces Many Families to Sleep Outside

New Delhi | Arun Sharma

Every day, hundreds of patients from the farthest corners of the country arrive in Delhi with hope in their eyes, seeking treatment at the world-renowned AIIMS and Safdarjung Hospital. Yet, even before medical care begins, many families are pushed into another battle—finding a place to stay. With nearby hotels and guesthouses far beyond their means, patients and attendants are often seen spending nights on pavements outside hospital gates, exposed to cold, rain and insecurity.


What remains largely unknown is that safe and organised accommodation already exists nearby, run by AIIMS with the support of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The real crisis, doctors and administrators say, is not the absence of facilities but the lack of information reaching those in need.


AIIMS Vishram Sadan and CRPF Shelter: A Quiet Lifeline
Located about a kilometre from AIIMS, the Vishram Sadan, operated by the institute, along with a CRPF-supported shelter, provides a secure and humane living space for patients undergoing long-term treatment and their caregivers. The facilities offer clean rooms, beds, security and regular meals, restoring a sense of dignity at a time of extreme vulnerability.
Sehnaz, whose young daughter is undergoing cancer treatment at AIIMS, has been staying at the Vishram Sadan since March 2025.
“When a child is seriously ill, every worry feels overwhelming. Knowing that we have a safe place to sleep has taken away a huge burden. Here, I can focus entirely on my daughter’s treatment,” she says.


When Families Sleep Outside—Unaware of What Exists
A young father from Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh, who brought his one-year-old son with a congenital heart condition to AIIMS, recalls spending nights outside before being informed about the shelter.
“We thought we would have to manage on the pavement. It was only after a doctor guided us that we found this place. It made us feel we were not alone,” he says.
Mohammad Gufran from Purnia, Bihar, who accompanies his father for cardiac treatment, calls the facility a “lifesaver”.
“Long treatments drain families financially. This shelter has given us immense relief,” he notes.


AIIMS on the Awareness Gap
AIIMS Delhi media cell in-charge Professor Reema Dada acknowledges that awareness remains the biggest challenge.
“AIIMS provides accommodation through the Vishram Sadan and CRPF-supported shelters for patients requiring prolonged treatment, based on a doctor’s recommendation. Even patients referred from AIIMS Bilaspur are eligible. It is painful to see families sleeping on pavements during harsh weather when safe accommodation is available so close by,” she says.


A Model of Compassion Alongside Medicine
As India’s premier healthcare institutions, AIIMS and Safdarjung Hospital represent the highest standards of medical excellence. Complemented by the CRPF’s humanitarian support, the shelter system stands as a quiet yet powerful example of compassion embedded within healthcare.
The challenge now is ensuring that every patient and caregiver knows where to turn—so that no family seeking healing is left to spend the night under the open sky.