AIIMS Director lands in controversy after seeking treatment at a private hospital; offers clarification. Questions regarding the healthcare system at AIIMS were raised following reports that Dr. Vibha Dutta, the Executive Director of AIIMS Gorakhpur, had undergone medical treatment at a private hospital. Amidst this controversy, Dr. Vibha Dutta has now presented her official stance. The Executive Director clarified that there was a misunderstanding suggesting she was suffering from a serious heart-related condition; consequently, she was taken there as a precautionary measure.
Doctors at the private hospital reviewed her test reports, which were found to be completely normal. No treatment was administered, nor was there any admission; they returned within just half an hour. The Director provided detailed information regarding the absence of a critical ‘Cath Lab’ at AIIMS and the status of its construction. She explained that a Cath Lab is not a minor setup; the equipment used in it is highly expensive and state-of-the-art. For this purpose, she had requested a special budget of 14 to 15 crore rupees from the Ministry, which has since been approved. ‘No Government Hospital in Gorakhpur Has a Cath Lab’
Dr. Vibha Dutta has stated that there is no cath lab in any government hospital in Gorakhpur. However, the process of establishing one at AIIMS is in its final stages, and it is expected to be fully operational by December 2026. Once functional, procedures such as angioplasty, stent placement, and pacemaker implantation can be performed at AIIMS itself. She further noted that all other essential cardiology-related diagnostic facilities are already fully available at AIIMS Gorakhpur.
