Gujarat’s only branch of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) is under scrutiny after advanced medical equipment worth crores, crucial for cardiac and cancer care, has been left unused for months.
According to sources, equipment worth nearly ₹1.5 crore, including brachytherapy machines, a simulator, and a PET-CT scanner for cancer treatment, remains non-operational. Even the specially constructed bunker room for radiation therapy is yet to be put to use. Concerned citizens have now lodged complaints with the District Collector, demanding urgent action.
Staff appointed but treatment yet to start
Dr. Sneha Dhillon has recently been appointed to head cancer treatment at AIIMS Rajkot. However, questions have been raised regarding her qualifications and experience for the role, with demands for an inquiry gaining momentum.
When contacted, AIIMS officials admitted that only the cancer OPD is currently functional. “The machines have been delivered and staff appointed, but the installation and activation process is still pending,” an official said. As a result, therapy services have not yet begun.
Cardiac care services also stalled
Adding to patient woes, sources at Civil Hospital revealed that the cardiac OPD is presently being managed by a trust. However, critical procedures — including surgeries, angiographies, and other advanced treatments — have been suspended for months due to a shortage of faculty.
The delay in making these life-saving facilities operational has sparked growing concerns among patients and healthcare professionals, who argue that the underutilisation of such advanced infrastructure defeats the very purpose of establishing AIIMS in Gujarat.