New Delhi: A concerning trend of mass resignations by doctors from various AIIMS (All India Institutes of Medical Sciences) across the country is raising alarm bells. According to data shared by the government in Parliament, a significant number of doctors—429 in total—have resigned from 20 AIIMS facilities between 2022 and 2024. The primary reason cited is the stark disparity in salary packages offered by private hospitals, which are reportedly willing to pay up to ten times more than the government-run institutions.
This brain drain is creating a critical shortage of experienced medical professionals in India’s premier public healthcare institutions. AIIMS, known for its high-quality medical education and research, is struggling to retain its talent against the lucrative offers from the private sector. The situation is particularly grave as it impacts patient care and the training of future doctors.
The highest number of resignations was recorded at AIIMS Delhi, with 52 doctors leaving the institution. It was followed by AIIMS Rishikesh (38), AIIMS Raipur (35), AIIMS Bilaspur (32), and AIIMS Mangalagiri (30). The exodus is not limited to junior staff; many of those who have resigned are senior faculty members, including heads of departments and chiefs of centers.
Experts believe that this trend is a direct result of the widening gap between public and private sector salaries. While AIIMS doctors are bound by government pay scales, their private counterparts enjoy significant financial freedom and better working conditions. The government is being urged to address this issue urgently to prevent a further deterioration of the public healthcare system. The government has attempted some stopgap measures, such as hiring retired faculty on a contract basis, but many doctors and experts believe that these are not long-term solutions.
