VIP Treatment in Indian Hospitals Threatens Patient Safety, Say AIIMS Surgeons

In a piece for Oncology Reviews, AIIMS Delhi surgeons M D Ray and his MCh student Hema Siri Kottu detail the ethical and clinical risks of “VIP syndrome,” where influential patients receive special treatment that departs from standard protocols. They cite cases such as a 58-year-old ovarian-cancer patient who underwent surgery without proper preparation and endured a 12-day ICU stay, and a 60-year-old breast-cancer patient whose relatives demanded an unnecessary PET-CT that led to further invasive work-up.

The doctors warn that such pressures can cause avoidable complications, waste limited resources, and undermine equitable access to care. They recommend strict admission criteria, clear discharge policies, and consistent communication to ensure decisions are based on medical need rather than status. While acknowledging the lack of controlled studies, they stress that raising awareness and institutional guidelines are essential for patient safety and public trust.