Outpatient visits nearly triple in five years as PMSSY expansion brings tertiary care closer to people
New Delhi, Ekta, 10 November 2026: The new All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) set up under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) have recorded more than 6 crore Outpatient Department (OPD) consultations since 2021-22, as of 31 October 2026. The milestone reflects the growing reach of these institutions in bringing specialised tertiary care closer to people across the country.
Sharp rise in patient footfall
OPD consultations at the new AIIMS have grown nearly threefold, from 50.03 lakh in 2021-22 to 144.96 lakh in 2025-26. The year-wise figures are:
| Year | OPD consultations (lakh) |
| 2021-22 | 50.03 |
| 2022-23 | 77.95 |
| 2023-24 | 100.52 |
| 2024-25 | 129.98 |
| 2025-26 | 144.96 |
| 2026-27 (till Oct 2026) | 97.41 |
Taken together, these figures amount to approximately 6.01 crore consultations.
Addressing regional disparities
The Government of India has been expanding the AIIMS network under PMSSY to reduce regional imbalances in the availability of affordable and reliable tertiary healthcare. The initiative also aims to strengthen the country’s medical education and research ecosystem alongside the growth of specialised health services.
Of the 22 new AIIMS approved under PMSSY in various phases, 18 are now fully functional. They offer OPD and Inpatient Department (IPD) care, emergency and trauma services, diagnostics, medical education and research.
Strengthening medical education and research
Beyond patient care, the new AIIMS have widened opportunities for undergraduate, postgraduate and nursing education, while building specialised clinical facilities and advanced medical services. Together, these institutions are adding to India’s medical education and research infrastructure.
