Why are patients sleeping on the streets in Delhi?

Patients and their families are sleeping on the streets in Delhi because temporary shelters and hospital dormitories are full, and they lack affordable accommodation while seeking medical treatment.

What health risks do people face sleeping outside Delhi hospitals?

People sleeping outside Delhi hospitals face risks of hypothermia, respiratory illnesses, and other health problems due to exposure to cold and harsh weather conditions.

How many people are estimated to be sleeping outside Delhi hospitals?

It is estimated that over 7,000 people are sleeping outside major hospitals in Delhi due to a lack of adequate shelter facilities.

Home / Health / Delhi Winters: Patients Sleep on Streets Near AIIMS

Delhi Winters: Patients Sleep on Streets Near AIIMS

11 Jan

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Summary

Families sleep on streets due to lack of affordable shelter near hospitals.
Over 7,000 individuals are reportedly sleeping outside Delhi hospitals.
NGOs warn of hypothermia and illness risks for those exposed.

Delhi Winters: Patients Sleep on Streets Near AIIMS

In Delhi, a significant humanitarian crisis is unfolding as numerous patients and their families face freezing temperatures while seeking medical treatment. Yashodha Kumari, from Jharkhand, exemplifies this struggle, sleeping in a makeshift camp near AIIMS with her infant daughter. Her husband is undergoing treatment for a throat tumor.

Hundreds of others, many from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Jharkhand, and Bihar, are also forced to sleep outdoors. The situation worsened with recent rains, leaving them with drenched belongings. Available temporary shelters and hospital dormitories are reportedly full, pushing people onto the streets.

The Centre for Holistic Development estimates over 7,800 people are sleeping outside Delhi hospitals, warning of severe health consequences like hypothermia and respiratory illnesses. They have urged the government to provide more temporary shelters to address this urgent crisis.