In a bid to bolster security at India’s premier medical institute, the All‑India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has started specialised training for its security staff at the Delhi Police Academy in Jharoda Kalan. The week‑long course equips guards with the skills to identify suspicious behaviour, handle emergencies and coordinate with law enforcement. For many guards, this is their first exposure to modules covering the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections, which have replaced the Indian Penal Code, as well as hands‑on sessions dealing with unattended bags, evacuation drills and mock terror scenarios.
AIIMS sees over 30,000 patients and caregivers walk through its gates every day, in addition to about 25,000 doctors, nurses and other staff. To manage the footfall, the institute currently deploys 125 permanent guards, around 2,700 private security personnel, 250 supervisors and 40 managers. There are also more than 2,900 CCTV cameras monitored by 150 operators. Officials said the existing manpower is adequate but the nature of threats has evolved, and guards need to be alert to subtle red flags. The training emphasises profiling without prejudice, identifying distressed visitors who might require assistance, and immediate reporting of any anomaly.
The initiative follows several incidents of violence and vandalism in hospital premises across the country. While AIIMS has not faced a major security breach recently, administrators say complacency is not an option. The current batch includes guards from the main AIIMS campus in Delhi as well as those posted at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Jhajjar, the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) in Ghaziabad and the Rural Health and Training Centre in Ballabgarh. More batches will be trained over the next few months so that all personnel are up to date by October.
Apart from terror response, guards are also taught soft skills like calming anxious relatives, assisting lost patients and enforcing queue discipline politely. “Our objective is not just to stop bad actors but also to make visitors feel safe and supported,” said an AIIMS security chief coordinating the programme. The collaboration between AIIMS and Delhi Police underscores a proactive approach to hospital security at a time when public institutions must be prepared for evolving challenges.
