Every day, patients from distant towns and villages arrive at AIIMS Delhi carrying hope—and heavy baggage. For many, the toughest part of their treatment journey begins outside the hospital gates. With nearby rooms and lodges priced far beyond their means, countless families end up spending nights on pavements outside AIIMS and Safdarjung Hospital, braving cold winds, rain, and uncertainty.

What most of them don’t know is that AIIMS already has a place for them to stay.

Tucked away just a kilometre from the main hospital is Vishram Sadan, a patient accommodation facility run by AIIMS. In addition, a CRPF-supported shelter, built in collaboration with the institute, offers safe housing for patients and their attendants who require long-term treatment.

“This Place Gave Us Breathing Space”

For Sehnaz, whose young daughter is undergoing cancer treatment under Dr Sachin Khurana, Vishram Sadan has been nothing short of a lifeline. She has been staying there since March 2025.

“When you are already worried about your child’s illness, you cannot also worry about where you will sleep,” she said. “Here, at least, we feel secure. The rooms are clean, food is provided, and I can focus on my daughter’s treatment.”

Meals—breakfast and lunch—are served daily, and patients have access to clean rooms with shared or individual beds, depending on availability.

From Footpaths to Dignity

A young father from Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, who brought his one-year-old son to AIIMS for treatment of a congenital heart defect, admitted he had no idea such a facility existed.

“I thought we would have to manage outside,” he said. “It was only after Dr Deepti referred us that we came here. The facilities are good, food comes on time, and we don’t feel lost anymore.”

Similarly, Mohammad Gufran from Purnia, Bihar, who visits Delhi for his father’s cardiology follow-ups, said staying at Vishram Sadan has eased the stress of navigating an unfamiliar city.

“When treatment is long, expenses add up. This place helps families like ours survive in Delhi,” he said.

AIIMS Calls for Greater Awareness

According to Prof Rima Dada, In-Charge of the Media Cell at AIIMS Delhi, the problem is not a lack of facilities—but a lack of awareness.

“AIIMS provides accommodation at Vishram Sadan and through shelters supported by the Central Reserve Police Force,” she explained. “Patients requiring long-term treatment are accommodated here based on the treating doctor’s recommendation.”

She added that patients referred from AIIMS Bilaspur to AIIMS Delhi are also eligible for these facilities.

“What pains us is seeing patients and attendants sleeping on footpaths in extreme weather, unaware that help is available just a short distance away,” Prof Dada said.

A Shelter That Needs to Be Seen

As AIIMS continues to serve as a lifeline for patients across India, Vishram Sadan stands quietly in the background—clean, functional, and underused. For families battling serious illness, knowing about this facility could mean the difference between sleeping on concrete and resting in safety.

Sometimes, care doesn’t end at the hospital bed. Sometimes, it begins with a roof.