NEW DELHI: Even after more than 35 hours, AIIMS authorities have failed to restore online services, which were hit after a ransomware attack on its servers on Wednesday morning. All services, including registration, admission and discharge, billing are being done manually at the hospital causing long delays to the patients.
One of the patient’s attendants, Anuj Verma from Azamgarh, told TOI that the doctor had prescribed an MRI for his sister for a suspected prolapsed disc during their last visit to AIIMS, as she had severe lower back pain. But despite coming on time they couldn’t see the doctor as the whole day was spent on billing and the test. “Though MRI was done on time, billing took long hours due to the long queue as everything was being done manually,” he said.
This was the second consecutive day when e-services at the hospital remained badly hit. Many people complained about not getting online appointments and delay in getting their investigation reports. They said they were asked to wait for hours or visit some other day.
AIIMS Delhi has a footfall of around 10,000 patients from across the country in its OPD every day. However, fewer patients visit the hospital on Thursday, as compared to normal days, said a staff member at OPD counter.
Another patient’s sister, Shalini Rastogi, who had come to the hospital for taking an appointment for her sister, claimed that she did not get an appointment as the server was down. “We will visit again as my sister has been suffering from acute stomach ache for the past few days. We can’t wait here endlessly,” she said.
Meanwhile, AIIMS authorities issued a statement on Thursday stating that various government agencies are investigating the incident and supporting the institute in restoring the digital patient care services. “We hope to be able to restore the affected activities soon,” said officials, adding that all emergency and routine patient care services and lab services are being managed manually.
The server of AIIMS Delhi has been down since 7 am yesterday.
