Server Breakdown at Delhi AIIMS Disrupts Online Services, Patients Endure Delays

This technical issue has particularly affected the Outpatient Department (OPD), where online ticketing and registration services have been unavailable for new patients seeking admission or checkups.

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi has experienced significant disruptions following a server breakdown, severely impacting online services and causing inconvenience to patients on Saturday.

The server, managed by the National Informatics Centre's (NIC) eHospital system, has been down leading to the suspension of all online operations.

The breakdown has caused delays and challenges in managing patient flow and appointments, leading to a harrowing experience for many.

The hospital's reliance on the NIC’s eHospital server for all online procedures has highlighted the vulnerability of such systems to technical glitches.

This technical issue has particularly affected the Outpatient Department (OPD), where online ticketing and registration services have been unavailable for new patients seeking admission or checkups.

In response to the crisis, AIIMS has implemented offline modes for patient prescriptions to ensure the continuity of medical services.

The administration further adopted alternative measures to cater to the healthcare needs of patients despite the server malfunction.

Reportedly, the authorities are currently working to address the technical problem and restore normalcy to online services.

Moreover, it urged the patients to cooperate with the hospital staff during this challenging period as efforts are being made to rectify the server issue and resume online operations at the medical facility.

A similar chaos happened in June last year when the healthcare institution faced another cyber attack, which was promptly detected and neutralized by the hospital's cyber-security systems.

AIIMS Delhi's initial server failure was reported on November 23, 2022. As a result, two analysts were suspended due to alleged breaches in cyber-security protocols related to server security.

To address these challenges, AIIMS Delhi and other healthcare institutions must strengthen their cyber-defense mechanisms and continuously update their security protocols.

This involves investing in a robust cyber security infrastructure, conducting regular risk assessments, and implementing proactive measures to detect and prevent potential cyber threats.