AIIMS Experts Discuss the Institute's 70-Year History and Reasons for Patient Trust

The working director of AIIMS Gorakhpur, Major General (Retd) Vibha Datta, felt unwell on Wednesday. She was taken to a private hospital for heart examinations because the catheterization laboratory (Cath Lab) at AIIMS Gorakhpur has not yet been launched. Previously, doctors at AIIMS provided her with assistance in the emergency department, after which her condition stabilized.

Later, as a precaution, she was transferred to a private clinic where catheterization is possible. Vibha Datta was admitted to the private hospital around 5:00 PM. Doctors conducted an examination to determine if she required a pacemaker. It was determined after the check that a pacemaker was not necessary. She returned home around 8:00 PM.

According to a senior doctor at AIIMS Gorakhpur, Vibha Datta's condition stabilized after initial treatment. The doctor noted that her health is currently fine, and her visit to the private hospital was merely a preventive measure for further examinations.

This incident raised questions about why the catheterization service is not operational at AIIMS Gorakhpur. This is particularly relevant given that the institution's executive director had to seek heart examination at a private hospital. AIIMS Gorakhpur later reported that about 70 percent of the work related to launching the catheterization laboratory is complete. According to the institution, the necessary medical instruments and equipment are expected to arrive, and completion work will continue for the prompt launch of the laboratory.

In the opinion of the senior doctor at AIIMS, the catheterization laboratory is expected to start operations by December. After its launch, patients from Gorakhpur, as well as from other districts of Uttar Pradesh and neighboring states, will be able to receive necessary heart-related services and treatment within their region. These procedures include angiography and angioplasty.

The foundation stone of AIIMS Gorakhpur was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 22, 2016, as part of the Public Health Plan. After Yogi Adityanath became the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh in 2017, the pace of the project accelerated, and numerous construction obstacles were removed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the outpatient department of AIIMS Gorakhpur on February 24, 2019, and the entire complex was grandly opened on December 7, 2021.

Currently, AIIMS Gorakhpur is focused on completing the remaining work related to the catheterization laboratory. Upon its launch, the institution's capabilities in cardiology will be strengthened, and patients will not have to travel far to receive quality treatment.

Despite several years having passed since the COVID-19 pandemic, the question often arises whether a sudden illness or heart attack in a young person is a consequence of coronavirus. At the Health Wealth Summit forum, specialists held an open discussion on this serious topic.

Leading doctors from the country participated in the session: Senior Cardiologist Dr. Padmashri D.S. Gambhir, Dr. Manoj Kumar, Dr. Sanjay Sachdeva, and Gynecologist Dr. Priti Agrawal. They thoroughly discussed the true causes of the increase in heart disease among youth, stress, and fertility problems in women.

Dr. Padmashri D.S. Gambhir emphasized that while the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the blood clotting system and organs, contributing to the rise in heart disease cases, it is incorrect to blame the coronavirus exclusively. He presented statistics showing that less than half of young patients with a heart attack had ever had COVID-19, whereas over 70% of such patients had never encountered the infection. This indicates that lifestyle changes and other medical factors play an equally significant role.

Dr. Manoj Kumar reported that a study conducted in the UK showed an increased risk of heart attack in people who recovered from COVID-19 because the virus affects the inner lining of blood vessels. However, besides this, other significant 'unconventional risk factors' are rapidly emerging. One of these is a sedentary lifestyle: the risk of a heart attack doubles for people who spend more than ten hours a day sitting. Dr. Sanjay Sachdeva added that factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, and obesity are causing problems in young people at a very early age. Furthermore, weakened immunity and nasal and sinus hygiene issues make the body more susceptible to other infections.

Dr. Gambhir explained that mental stress and our work style directly determine health status. He highlighted 'Type A Personality'—people who constantly experience anxiety, participate in competitive races, and take everything to heart; these individuals are at the highest risk of heart attack. Conversely, people with 'Type B Personality,' who remain calm about work and leave office worries at home, remain safer. Doctors advise developing a 'Developed India,' but without immersing oneself in the 'stress furnace' or bringing office stress home.

Discussing reproductive health, Dr. Priti Agrawal noted that during COVID-19, many couples postponed family planning. Naturally, the quality and quantity of eggs in women decrease with age. Women who decided to conceive after the age of 30–35 faced difficulties. Additionally, the growing prevalence of smoking, alcohol consumption, and excessive stress among modern youth negatively affects their reproductive health. Therefore, instead of blaming only COVID-19, it is much more important to seek medical consultation in a timely manner.

The general message from the experts was that changing lifestyles, fast food, lack of physical exercise, and excessive psychological stress have become the main enemies of health. If diet and daily routine are adjusted in time, the probability of developing heart disease and other serious problems can be significantly reduced.

Among the most talented young doctors vying for top rankings, there is a significant shift in their views on their career path after graduation. General Medicine has taken the first choice spot, significantly surpassing Radiology among the most capable graduates of Indian medical universities.

In the first round of allocation for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test - Postgraduate (NEET-PG) 2026, 51 doctors in the top 100 chose General Medicine, while the number of applicants who chose Radiology dropped to only 28.

This shift is not sudden nor does it signify a complete rejection of radiology. It indicates what the country's most gifted young doctors desire: the opportunity to follow a path of super-specialization, take on broad clinical responsibilities, shield themselves from the influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and have the ability to treat patients directly.

Rise in Popularity of Medicine in Previous Cycles

Analysis shows a gradual increase in interest in General Medicine. In 2024, the difference was small: 48 top performers chose medicine, and 45 chose radiology. In 2025, the ratio was 46 to 40. However, in 2026, this gap increased substantially, reaching 51 to 28.

Medicine as a Career Launchpad

Experts monitoring trends in medical education note that this change challenges the old idea that the most sought-after specialties are those with fixed working hours or higher salaries. Dr. Aviral Mathur, an associate consultant at Sar Ganga Ram Hospital and former chairman of FORDA, believes that medicine has transformed from merely an end goal into a 'launchpad' for a career. By obtaining an MD in medicine, doctors can pursue further training in fields such as cardiology, neurology, nephrology, gastroenterology, and critical care, earning a DM qualification, thereby not limiting themselves to a narrow scope.

Serious Issues Facing Radiology

Despite radiology remaining a prestigious field, students are showing caution due to several new problems. One such factor is the fear of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Fear of AI

Rapidly developing AI tools in medical imaging are making students question how the work of radiologists will change or suffer over the next decade.

Furthermore, there is the issue of expensive infrastructure. Dr. Satendra Singh from the University College of Medical Sciences (UCMS) points out that equipping and installing equipment for radiology is very costly, and the risk of long-term radiation exposure is also one of the factors.

The limited number of seats should also be noted: there are about 1200 seats for MD in Radiology in India, whereas there are over 4000 for General Medicine. Sometimes students choose medicine over radiology even if they fail to get into their desired college.

The Sense of a Real Doctor and Patient Connection

Dr. Harjit Singh Bhatti, a geriatric specialist from Sitaram Hospital and former chairman of AIIMS RDA, emphasizes that the growing burden of lifestyle diseases, the increase in the elderly population, and the increasing complexity of healthcare needs have heightened the importance of the physician's role. He argues that 'the sense of a real doctor comes from medicine.' This allows for long-term patient care by combining symptoms, test results, and medical history. The attraction to this field has also been strengthened by the central role of the physician in caring for critically ill patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The experts' conclusion is clear: modern young doctors are choosing their specialty not only based on ease of life or initial income but are also investing in a broad clinical foundation that will open up numerous career opportunities for them in the future.