Each day, around 15,000 patients visit the outpatient department (OPD) at AIIMS Delhi. Roughly 10% of these patients require diagnostic imaging procedures such as ultrasounds, X-rays, and MRI scans. The wait times for these procedures vary widely, with many patients receiving appointment dates ranging from six months to as long as three years. 

For non-VIPs, securing an MRI scan at AIIMS can take anywhere from a few weeks to an excruciating three years. A recent case highlights the issue: Joydip Dey, a 52-year-old patient referred to AIIMS for treatment of a leg injury, was shocked to receive an MRI appointment scheduled for September 7, 2027. TOI has verified this appointment. 

Dey, who belongs to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category, said seeking treatment at a private hospital in Delhi-NCR is financially unfeasible. MRI scans in private facilities cost between?18,000 and?25,000, far beyond his means.

"I can’t even afford ?4,000-?5,000," he lamented. After being urged by his OPD doctor to expedite the MRI scan, even if it meant going to a private facility, Dey expressed frustration and said he had no choice but to stop treatment. 

AIIMS offers MRI services at economical rates, typically ranging between?2,000 and?3,000. In 2022, the institute's director, Dr. M. Srinivas, instructed the round-the-clock operation of MRI machines to reduce waiting times for inpatients and outpatients. Measures were also announced to increase the number of MRI appointments. 

Priority-Based Categorization

AIIMS categorizes patients into priority tiers: 

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Emergency cases receive immediate imaging services, including X-rays, ultrasounds, and MRI scans. 
Inpatients generally face a wait time of about four days. 
Urgent OPD cases referred by clinicians are accommodated within two weeks to a month. 

Non-urgent OPD patients, comprising a large percentage of the daily footfall, often seek imaging for non-critical conditions like back or leg pain. These cases experience the longest delays. 

To address the backlog, AIIMS plans to implement a fully digital appointment system. This system will introduce defined cut-off periods, ensuring no patient faces indefinite waiting times. A senior doctor from the radiology department acknowledged the current wait times as "impractical" and emphasized the importance of streamlining appointments to tackle the challenge effectively.