Budget allocation hiked for 3 central govt hospitals in Delhi, minor decline for Safdarjung
Of the three hospitals, RML has seen the maximum hike compared to last year at 23%.
3 min read
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman (File Photo)In the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday, three central government hospitals — AIIMS Delhi, Ram Manohar Lohia (RML), and Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC) — saw an increase in allocations this year.
Of the three hospitals, RML has seen the maximum hike compared to last year at 23%. However, Safdarjung Hospital, the largest central government hospital, has seen a minor decline of 3% in comparison to last year.
The budget allocation for AIIMS Delhi has increased by Rs 397.33 crore or around 8.7% to Rs 4,523 crore this year. The revised budget for the institute last year was Rs 4,278 crore, a decline of around Rs 55 crore as compared to 2022-2023.
A major share is set to go into providing salaries for doctors and staff. AIIMS official spokesperson Dr Reema Dada said the institute has got what it had asked for. “The increase in budget is meant for technology upgradation, increased footfall of patients… and mainly for the salary of doctors and staff where almost Rs 2,500 crore goes. These are our main expenditures,” she added. Every year, the institute sends a proposal for a 10-20% hike in view of the salaries and DA (dearness allowance) for the staff, which is a cost-of-living adjustment. The premium medical institute, however, has not disclosed the hike it sought.
The Budget is meant for salaries, and general expenses such as oil and transport expenditures, consumables, office expenditures; machinery equipment like MRI and ultrasound machines, research PCR, real-time PCR, sonicators, ultrasonicators; and major equipment for surgeries like surgery tables, high-end microscopes, SET facility, and various robotics. “For all the high-end equipment, the Budget we have got is good for meeting our demands,” said Dr Dada.
Meanwhile, Safdarjung Hospital has seen a decrease of around 3% in the grant in 2024-2025 with an allocation of Rs 1,874 crore to the hospital and its associated medical college. The hospital’s official spokesperson refused to comment on the allocations.
At RML Hospital, Medical Superintendent Dr Ajay Shukla said the allocated budget will be spent on constructing a medical college building among other steps. Around 600 beds and 150 ICU beds will also be ensured for the same.
“We will also invest in strengthening the oncology department at RML and purchasing radiotherapy and linac machines,” said Dr Shukla. The hospital has received a grant of Rs 1,610 crore. In 2023-2024, it was allocated Rs 1,272.18 crore, which was revised to Rs 1,304.10 crore
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