Amid backlash, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi has decided to reverse its decision to remain closed till 2:30 PM on 22 January.
The correction comes after the announcement that major Central Government Hospitals in Delhi, including AIIMS Delhi will remain closed till 2:30 PM on 22 January on account of the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, was met with backlash.
According to a follow-up circular issued by the hospital on 21 January, patients with appointments will be attended to in the Out Patient Departments (OPDs) at AIIMS, New Delhi, on 22 January.
The previous notice issued by AIIMS read,
"The Government of India has declared Monday the 22 January, 2024 half day closing till 14.30 Hrs ... as Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha at Ayodhya will be celebrated across India. It is notified for information of all the employees that the institute will remain half day closed till 14.30 hrs on 22.01.2024 [sic]."
Both the circulars, however, add that all critical clinical services will remain functional during this period.
Other Central Government Hospitals in Delhi to Observe Half Day
Similar circulars were also issued by other central government hospitals in Delhi including Safdarjung Hospital, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, and Lady Harding Medical College.
Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital's circular states: "It has been decided to keep all administrative sections/departments of this hospital, OPD, services like lab services etc. closed till 2:30 pm on 22 January 2024."
It added that the OPD registration counters would open at 1.30 PM and that emergency services would continue as per the pre-determined schedule.
A similar circular by Lady Harding Medical College says that OPD registration in the hospital will be open between 8 to 10 AM. However, it adds, "all registered patients should be attended to."
The Centre has also declared a 'half-day' for all central government offices, central institutions, and central industrial establishments across the country on Monday.
'Shocking, Unessaccary': Opposition Leaders, Others Criticize Half-Day Plan
The decision to keep major hospitals closed for half a day on 22 January was met with strong backlash by opposition leaders and others online.
Rajya Sabha MP and Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi took to X to call out the move, saying, "A total of 32,000 OPD Appointments, 1,200 Surgeries will be cancelled/rescheduled at the 4 government run Hospitals in Delhi since they have declared half a day off on 22nd."
Other X users, too, criticized the announcement, calling it a 'shocking' move.
Reacting to AIIMS, New Delhi's decision to keep OPDs functional on the day, another X user said,
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