Lok Sabha Question No. 4685 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-20
Subject: Delay in Appointment Dates for various Medical Tests
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Murari Lal Meena

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4685 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.03.2026

## DELAYIN APPOINTMENT DATES FOR VARIOUS MEDICALTESTS

## †4685. SHRI MURARI LAL MEENA:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that a large number of patients from other States including Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh come to the National Capital Delhi for treatment, but in many Government hospitals, the appointment dates for various tests are being given months or even years later;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is a fact that the waiting period for general tests has been reported as more than three years in the Psychiatry Department of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, if so, the reasons therefor and the steps taken to reduce the same;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether there is any proposal to operate limited Outpatient Department (OPD) and testing services on Sundays and holidays in Government hospitals of the country, particularly in Rajasthan; and
- (f) if so, the prescribed timeline for its implementation thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) & (b) All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, Central Government hospitals of Delhi (Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences & Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Lady Hardinge Medical College & Associated Hospitals, Rural Health Training Centre) and Hospitals of Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi receive a large number of patients from various States. These hospitals/institutes endeavor to make all possible efforts to ensure that adequate medical care is provided to all patients as per the available infrastructure. Blood tests and X-ray investigations are done on the same day or next available day without any delay. However, for specialized investigations like CT Scan, MRI etc. the patients are given dates depending upon indications and availability of slot.

(c) & (d) In Psychiatry Department and Clinical Psychology Department of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, patients are attended immediately and their treatment is started as soon as possible. Further, priority is given to crisis intervention and serious patients needing Clinical Psychology treatments. However, psychological evaluation appointments take some time, as these assessments are sensitive and complex, requiring sufficient time and specialized expertise.

(e) & (f) 'Public Health' & 'Hospitals' are State subjects. Accordingly, respective State Governments make efforts for ensuring availability of healthcare facilities on holidays in Government hospitals across the Country. As per the information received from State Government of Rajasthan, Hospitals under the administrative control of Rajasthan Government operate OPD and testing services for two hours from 09:00 AM to 11:00 AM apart from 24X7 emergency treatment services for convenience of the patients coming to OPD on Sundays and gazetted holidays.

As far as Central Government hospitals in New Delhi are concerned, limited OPD services are functional on Sundays in Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Lady Hardinge Medical College & Associated Hospitals. Medical investigation services are functional on Sundays in Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Safdarjung Hospital.