If you are looking for a government hospital in Delhi for treatment, tests, specialist consultation, or emergency care, Safdarjung Hospital is one of the major names you will come across. This hospital is right next to AIIMS in New Delhi. It treats patients from Delhi and neighboring states, offering many different medical services and specialist departments all in one place. However, visiting such a large hospital for the first time can feel confusing. Patients may not know where to register, which OPD to visit, when to reach, or what documents to carry.
Safdarjung Hospital at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Hospital | Safdarjung Hospital |
| Location | Ansari Nagar West, New Delhi |
| Type | Central Government Hospital |
| Ministry | Ministry of Health & Family Welfare |
| Started | 1942 |
| Original purpose | Base hospital during World War II |
| Medical college | Vardhman Mahavir Medical College |
| Emergency service | Available 24×7 |
| OPD | Available across several specialties |
Safdarjung Hospital is a central government hospital under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The official hospital website lists its location as NH 48, near AIIMS Hospital, Ansari Nagar West, New Delhi, Delhi 110029.
When was Safdarjung Hospital started?
Safdarjung Hospital started in 1942 during the Second World War. It originally served as a base hospital for the Allied forces. After the war, the Government of India took over the hospital in 1954 under the Ministry of Health. Since then, the hospital has expanded its medical services and infrastructure.
The hospital began with only 204 beds. Over the years, it developed into a large tertiary-care and multi-specialty hospital that serves a huge number of patients.
Safdarjung Hospital and medical education
The hospital also has an important connection with medical education. It became a centre for postgraduate teaching in 1962.
Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC) was established at Safdarjung Hospital in 2001. The medical college and hospital now work together in medical education, training, diagnosis, and patient care.
What Services Are Available at Safdarjung Hospital?
Safdarjung Hospital provides a wide range of medical services. Patients can visit the hospital for outpatient consultation, admission, investigations, surgery, emergency treatment, and specialist care.
The hospital has departments covering areas such as medicine, surgery, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, orthopaedics, ENT, ophthalmology, dermatology, urology, oncology, dental care, and several other specialties.
The hospital also provides diagnostic services such as X-rays, ultrasound, CT scans, MRI, and laboratory investigations. Availability and timing can depend on the department and type of test.
1. OPD services
The OPD is where most patients go for consultations when they do not need immediate emergency treatment. Safdarjung Hospital has different OPDs and specialty clinics. For example, the official schedule includes departments such as Medicine, Surgery, Urology, Dental Surgery, Haematology, Oncology, and several specialty clinics.
Because every department may follow a different schedule, patients should check the latest department-wise OPD schedule before travelling to the hospital.
2. Emergency and trauma care
Safdarjung Hospital has a dedicated New Emergency Block for emergency and trauma care. The emergency department operates around the clock and handles medical, surgical, trauma, obstetric, paediatric and other emergencies. The New Emergency Block has facilities for emergency investigations, critical care and surgical management.
The hospital’s official information also lists 24-hour emergency services, ambulance services and round-the-clock laboratory and imaging facilities connected with emergency care. If a person has a serious accident, breathing difficulty, severe chest pain, major bleeding, unconsciousness, or another life-threatening problem, do not wait for a normal OPD appointment. Go directly to emergency care or call emergency medical services.
How to Register for Safdarjung Hospital OPD
One of the most important things for a new patient is understanding the registration process. Safdarjung Hospital provides both offline and online OPD registration options for several departments.
The hospital’s Online Registration System allows patients to book OPD appointments through the government ORS platform. The hospital lists several departments under this system, including Medicine, General Surgery, Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, ENT, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Dental Surgery, and other services. It is always best to check the official schedule before you go.
What Should You Carry to the Hospital?
Before leaving home, keep your important documents together. This can save time at registration and during consultation. Carry your Aadhaar or another valid identity document if required, previous hospital records, old prescriptions, laboratory reports, scan reports, and details of medicines you currently take.
If you already have a Safdarjung Hospital registration slip, appointment information, or previous medical file, carry it with you. Keep both original documents and photocopies where necessary. For a child, elderly person, or patient with a serious illness, it is also useful to have one family member accompany them.
Tips for First-Time Patients
1. Arrive early
Large government hospitals can receive a very high number of patients. Reaching early gives you more time for registration, finding the correct department, and completing other formalities. Do not assume that reaching at the end of the registration period will guarantee a consultation.
2. Check the department before visiting
Safdarjung Hospital has many departments and buildings. Going to the wrong block can waste considerable time. Check the department name, OPD day, registration timing, and location before leaving home.
3. Keep your medical history ready
Doctors can understand your problem more easily when you bring previous reports and prescriptions. Instead of carrying loose papers, keep your important medical documents in one folder arranged by date.
4. Do not confuse OPD with emergency
OPD is generally meant for planned consultations and follow-ups. Emergency care is for serious and urgent medical problems. If the patient’s condition appears life-threatening, do not wait for the next OPD day.
Is Safdarjung Hospital Free?
Its official information states that emergency care and several hospital facilities are provided without charge in the relevant emergency setting. However, patients should not assume that every possible service, procedure, medicine, or item will always have the same cost or availability. Charges and arrangements can depend on the service and current hospital rules. It is better to confirm the applicable information at the concerned hospital counter or department.
How Busy Is Safdarjung Hospital?
The scale of the hospital becomes clearer from its official statistics. For 2025, the hospital website reports more than 39 lakh OPD visits, over 6.4 lakh emergency visits, more than 1.9 lakh IPD admissions, and over 1.47 crore laboratory tests.
These numbers show why patients should prepare before visiting. A large hospital can offer many facilities, but the patient may still need patience because thousands of people use its services.
Safdarjung Hospital Address and Contact
Safdarjung Hospital is located at:
H693+H6W, NH 48, near AIIMS Hospital, Ansari Nagar West, New Delhi, Delhi 110029.
The official website lists the hospital phone number as 011-2616 5060.
It is sensible to check the official hospital website for the latest OPD schedules, notices, and department information because timings and arrangements can change.
Conclusion
Safdarjung Hospital has a long history that goes back to 1942. What started as a wartime base hospital later became one of Delhi’s major government healthcare institutions. Today, the hospital provides OPD consultation, emergency and trauma care, specialist treatment, diagnostic services, surgery, inpatient care, and medical education through its association with Vardhman Mahavir Medical College.
For patients, the most important thing is preparation. Check the correct department, confirm the OPD timing, use online registration where available, and carry previous medical records. For serious emergencies, use the emergency department rather than waiting for a routine appointment. If you are visiting Safdarjung Hospital Delhi for the first time, a little preparation can make the experience much easier and less stressful.