All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi

Envision a place where hope takes shape. A place where medical brilliance intertwines with human compassion. This is the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, or AIIMS as it’s commonly known. Right here, on this sprawling urban campus of over 200 acres, a remarkable story unfolds. AIIMS New Delhi isn’t just a hospital. It’s a beacon of medical innovation, a nurturing ground for future healthcare leaders, and a testament to India’s commitment to advancing medical science. Established in 1956, AIIMS New Delhi emerged from a vision of providing world-class medical education and research within India. The idea, initially suggested for Calcutta, found its home in Delhi thanks to a generous grant from New Zealand under the Colombo Plan. The institute operates autonomously under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, guided by the AIIMS Act of 1956. Did you know that the old and new main OPD blocks are named after Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, the then Minister of Health, who championed the AIIMS bill? Her dream, as she stated, was to create an institute that would allow young Indians to pursue postgraduate medical education in their own country. Today, AIIMS New Delhi stands as a symbol of that dream fulfilled. AIIMS is a hub of activity, with five smaller campuses within its main grounds. The East Campus houses the main hospital, research facilities, and student hostels. The West Campus is primarily residential. The JPNA Trauma Center is dedicated to emergency services, connected to the East Campus by a tunnel for rapid patient transfer. The Masjid Moth Campus houses postgraduate and resident doctor apartments and new OPD blocks. Finally, the Ayurvigyan Nagar Campus provides additional residential accommodations. AIIMS New Delhi is more than just its physical presence. It’s a powerhouse of medical statistics. In 2017-2018 alone, the main hospital handled over two million outpatients and over 100,000 inpatients. The institute boasts several specialty centers, including the Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, the Dr. BR Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, and India’s first dedicated trauma center, the Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre. AIIMS New Delhi is also a pioneer in medical advancements. It performed the first successful heart transplant in India in 1994 and is a leading center for stem cell therapy. The institute even houses the first in-vitro fertilization facility in the public sector, established in 2008. The pursuit of excellence continues with the AIIMS Campus Redevelopment Master Plan. This ambitious project, with an estimated cost of over ₹10,000 crore, aims to transform AIIMS New Delhi into a world-class medical university. The plan envisions adding 3,000 beds, consolidating services, and optimizing infrastructure for the next two decades. As you stand here, before the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, remember that you’re not just looking at a building. You’re witnessing the embodiment of a nation’s aspirations, a place where healing hands and brilliant minds come together to shape the future of healthcare.