Beyond the name: How AIIMS built a culture of trust and commitment

AIIMS Delhi’s reputation is built not merely on its name or infrastructure but on a culture of dedication, patient-first care and trust, Dr Rakesh Yadav said at the India Today Health Wealth Summit 2026 during a session titled ‘AIIMS: Naam Hi Kaafi Hai’. Yadav said AIIMS represents the commitment of its doctors, nurses and students, and that patients trust the institution to provide the right treatment without commercial considerations. He also highlighted the challenges faced by doctors, including long working hours, heavy patient loads and administrative responsibilities. He said patients with routine medical conditions should consider other hospitals instead of crowding emergency departments at major institutions. Dr Radhika Tandon traced AIIMS’ legacy to its establishment in 1956 under the vision of then Health Minister Rajkumari Amrit Kaur. The institution was envisioned to provide advanced medical training and develop India's medical expertise, reducing the need for students to travel abroad for specialisation. Tandon attributed AIIMS’ reputation to decades of research, innovation, medical advancements, government support and interdisciplinary collaboration. Both speakers stressed the need to strengthen newer AIIMS institutions, enabling patients to access quality healthcare closer to home and seek referrals to larger centres only when necessary.