Rakesh Yadav and Radhika Tandon discussed AIIMS Delhi's culture at the Health Wealth Summit 2026. They called for stronger regional institutes to widen access and reduce pressure on Delhi.At the India Today Health Wealth Summit 2026, in a session titled 'AIIMS: Naam Hi Kaafi Hai', Dr Rakesh Yadav and Dr Radhika Tandon discussed what makes AIIMS Delhi trusted, the challenges doctors face, and the need to strengthen other AIIMS across India.
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, is not merely a hospital or an institution but represents a culture built on dedication, commitment and patient-first healthcare, Dr Rakesh Yadav, said, emphasising that its reputation goes beyond its name and infrastructure.Speaking at the India Today Health Wealth Summit 2026 during a session titled ‘AIIMS: Naam Hi Kaafi Hai’, Dr Rakesh Yadav and Dr Radhika Tandon discussed what makes AIIMS Delhi a trusted healthcare institution, the challenges faced by doctors and the need to strengthen other AIIMS institutions across the country.Both Dr Rakesh Yadav, professor of Cardiology, and Dr Radhika Tandon, chief and professor of Ophthalmology at the Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences (RP Centre), are from AIIMS New Delhi.“AIIMS is not just a name or a building.
It is a culture,” Yadav said, pointing to the institution's legacy of dedicated doctors, nurses and students. He said the trust patients place in AIIMS is rooted in the belief that they will receive the right treatment without commercial considerations.
A LEGACY BUILT ON DEDICATIONYadav highlighted the demanding nature of medical practice, saying that doctors often have no fixed working hours, particularly when they build a reputation and patients increasingly seek their expertise. He also acknowledged the growing pressure on doctors, who must balance patient care with administrative responsibilities and long working hours.He said the healthcare system cannot cater to everyone at a single institution, adding that patients with routine medical conditions should also consider other hospitals rather than crowding emergency departments.TANDON ON AIIMS' 70-YEAR JOURNEY Dr Radhika Tandon, traced the institute’s legacy to its establishment in 1956, under the vision of then Health Minister Rajkumari Amrit Kaur.
She said the institution was envisioned at a time when Indians had to travel abroad for advanced medical training and specialisation.Tandon said AIIMS was established to develop India's own medical expertise and create an institution capable of providing advanced training within the country. She attributed its reputation to nearly seven decades of research, innovation, medical advancements and the dedication of its faculty.She also highlighted the institution's culture of full-time commitment, government support and interdisciplinary collaboration, where doctors consult colleagues without hesitation to ensure the best possible treatment for patients.NEED TO STRENGTHEN OTHER AIIMS INSTITUTIONSBoth speakers stressed the importance of developing newer AIIMS institutions so patients can access quality healthcare closer to home.
Tandon said several newer AIIMS facilities were progressing well, with improvements in infrastructure, equipment and medical expertise.She said patients from surrounding areas should first approach their nearest AIIMS and seek referrals to larger institutions only when necessary, helping reduce the burden on major hospitals such as AIIMS Delhi.- Ends