New Delhi: The All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi has operationalised the Ashray facility to provide overnight shelter and basic amenities to patients waiting for OPD services, in a move aimed at easing overcrowding and improving patient comfort.
Launched with the support of the Central Reserve Police Force, the initiative ensures that patients who arrive at the hospital late at night are safely transported to the Ashray centre instead of waiting outside the premises. Each patient is issued a token number, guaranteeing that the same order is followed during OPD registration the next morning.
Launched in the last winter, AIIMS ‘Ashray Night Shelter’ has redefined patient care beyond Hospital Walls; Capacity to be increased to accommodate more people: Dr. M Srinivas, Director, AIIMS, New Delhi#AIIMS #AshrayNightShelter #PatientCare #AIIMSDelhi @aiims_newdelhi pic.twitter.com/suQl8HFTf5
— DD News (@DDNewslive) January 4, 2026
The Ashray facility can accommodate around 250 patients at a time and is currently running at full capacity. Along with shelter, patients and their attendants are provided free food, blankets and access to clean, hygienic toilets—measures that have significantly reduced overnight hardship and chaos.
Speaking to the media, AIIMS Director Dr M Srinivas said the initiative reflects the institute’s focus on patient-centric care. He added that Vishram Sadan facilities are also functional at the AIIMS main campus, Trauma Centre and the NCI campus in Jhajjar, collectively offering around 1,500 beds for patients and attendants.
Hospital officials said the Ashray model has already improved crowd management and the overall OPD experience, particularly for patients travelling long distances to seek treatment at the premier medical institution.
