OPD Appointment Guide: Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi

Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital — formally known as Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences and Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital (ABVIMS & RMLH) — is a central government teaching hospital located at Baba Kharak Singh Marg, New Delhi. Established originally in 1932, the hospital now operates across multiple blocks and offers outpatient, inpatient, emergency, and super-speciality services across a wide range of clinical departments. It functions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

OPD appointments can be booked online through the national Online Registration System (ORS) portal at ors.gov.in, which lists the hospital under its registered name. Walk-in registration is also accepted at the OPD counter each morning. The hospital has a dedicated Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY counter near Gate No. 4, and central government employees and pensioners covered under CGHS can access the hospital's reserved Nursing Home beds. Patients eligible under the Delhi Arogya Kosh (DAK) scheme may apply for financial assistance for high-cost treatments at this central government facility.

Registration and OPD fees at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital

RML Hospital is a public sector central government hospital. OPD consultation itself carries only a nominal registration charge; the cost of medicines, investigations, and procedures is substantially lower than private hospital rates. Confirm all current charges at the hospital counter or official portal.

• OPD registration fee — A nominal fee is charged at the counter — reported widely as Rs 10; confirm the current amount at Counter a major on arrival
• Emergency OPD — No registration fee; emergency services run 24 hours
• Investigations and diagnostics — Heavily subsidised as a government hospital; confirm current rates at the diagnostic counter or hospital office
• Inpatient treatment — Subsidised government rates apply; scheme beneficiaries (PM-JAY, CGHS, DAK) may receive cashless or reimbursed treatment — verify coverage with the relevant counter before admission

Government schemes that help cover treatment at RML Hospital

• Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY — RML Hospital is empanelled under PM-JAY. Eligible beneficiaries receive cashless treatment up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year (Delhi's implementation provides coverage up to Rs 10 lakh through central and state contributions combined). The Ayushman Bharat counter is located near the admission counter at Gate No. 4; contact 011-23404400. Check eligibility at mera.pmjay.gov.in or the Ayushman App.
• Delhi Arogya Kosh (DAK) — Delhi residents with annual family income up to Rs 3 lakh who have lived in Delhi for at least 3 years may apply for financial assistance of up to Rs 5 lakh for treatment in a central government hospital such as RMLH. An income certificate from the area SDM or a National Food Security Card is required. Application forms are available at the Medical Superintendent's office.
• CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme) — Central government employees and pensioners holding a valid CGHS card can access RMLH's dedicated Nursing Home wing, which has approximately 94 reserved beds including maternity services. CGHS cardholders do not require a referral slip to visit the hospital.
• BPL / below-poverty-line provisions — Patients holding a Below Poverty Line (BPL) card or National Food Security Card may be entitled to additional fee waivers; confirm the current exemption policy at the Medical Superintendent's office or OPD registration counter.

Rates shown are as per the Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital (RMLH) — official website (2026) and are subject to periodic revision. Always verify the latest approved rates on the official source.

How to get an appointment at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital

The hospital participates in the national Online Registration System (ORS) operated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Patients can book an OPD appointment at ors.gov.in by selecting Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital from the hospital list, choosing a department and an available date, verifying identity via a mobile OTP, and confirming the slot. An appointment ID is sent by SMS. On the day of the appointment, patients must present this appointment ID or QR code at Counter a major before 11:00 AM to receive a physical OPD card. First-time patients will be issued a Unique Health ID (UHID) at this counter.

Walk-in registration without a prior online appointment is also accepted. Patients should reach the OPD registration counter early in the morning — registration is open Monday to Friday from around 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM. The ORS portal also allows patients to book follow-up appointments for subsequent visits. Saturday and Sunday OPD availability varies by department; check the hospital notice board or the ORS portal for the current schedule.

For online booking: visit ors.gov.in, click 'Book Appointment', log in with your mobile number and OTP, select State as Delhi and Hospital as Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, choose your department and preferred date, confirm the slot, and note the appointment ID.

• Online booking: ors.gov.in — select 'Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi'
• Walk-in registration counter: open Monday to Friday, approximately 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM
• Report to Counter a major with appointment ID before 11:00 AM even for online bookings
• First visit: bring a valid photo ID and any previous medical records
• Emergency department: open 24 hours, no prior appointment needed

How long it takes to get seen

Waiting time at a busy central government hospital depends heavily on arrival time and the day. Patients who arrive and register before 8:00 AM typically wait one to two hours before seeing a doctor. Those registering between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM may wait two to four hours. Patients arriving after 10:30 AM, even with an online appointment, may experience waits of four hours or longer and risk missing the cut-off for the same-day OPD session.

Doctor consultation runs from approximately 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM in most departments. Selected specialty clinics hold afternoon sessions from around 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on designated days — check the hospital notice board for the current schedule. For non-emergency cases in high-demand super-speciality departments such as Cardiology or Neurology, the ORS portal may show available slots seven to fourteen days ahead; book in advance rather than expecting a same-day slot in these departments.

Emergency medicine, surgery, orthopedics, and pediatrics are available around the clock. Round-the-clock on-call support is available for other specialties in the event of an emergency.

What treatment costs and financial help

As a central government hospital, RMLH charges substantially subsidised rates compared with private hospitals. The OPD registration fee is nominal (widely reported as Rs 10; verify the current amount at the counter). Medicines from the hospital pharmacy and diagnostic tests are provided at government-approved rates. In-patient surgical procedures follow government tariff schedules rather than private market prices.

Eligible PM-JAY beneficiaries should visit the Ayushman Bharat counter near Gate No. 4 before or at admission to initiate cashless processing. CGHS cardholders should present their card at the Nursing Home counter for dedicated bed access. Delhi residents who are not covered by PM-JAY but have low household income may apply for the Delhi Arogya Kosh scheme at the Medical Superintendent's office — the scheme can provide assistance up to Rs 5 lakh for high-cost procedures at this hospital. BPL cardholders should ask at the registration counter about applicable fee exemptions.

Key departments at RML Hospital

The hospital has a broad clinical range across three main zones. The New OPD Building covers General Medicine, General Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, ENT, Ophthalmology (Eye), Dermatology (Skin), Psychiatry, Dental Surgery, Physiotherapy, and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR). The Super-Speciality Block houses Cardiology (with a Cardiac Catheterisation Lab and CCU), Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Nephrology (with dialysis), Neurology, Neurosurgery, Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Respiratory Medicine, and Oncology. The Trauma Centre provides round-the-clock emergency trauma services.

Additional departments include Orthopaedics, Urology (with facilities for endourology, laparoscopic surgery, renal transplantation, and paediatric urology), Burns and Plastic Surgery, Neonatology, Paediatric Surgery, Anaesthesia, Radiology, Pathology, Microbiology, and Blood Bank services. Diagnostic facilities — including CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, and laboratory testing — are available. The hospital also runs a Family Welfare and Community Medicine department.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book an OPD appointment at RML Hospital online?

Yes. Appointments can be booked through the national ORS portal at ors.gov.in. Search for Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, select your department and a date, verify via OTP, and note the appointment ID sent by SMS. On the day, present the ID at Counter a major before 11:00 AM to collect your physical OPD card. Walk-in registration at the counter is also available on weekday mornings.

What documents should I bring for my first OPD visit?

Carry a valid government-issued photo ID (Aadhaar, voter card, or passport) and your appointment confirmation SMS or printout. For follow-up visits, bring your UHID card or previous OPD card and any investigation reports or discharge summaries from prior treatment. CGHS cardholders should bring their CGHS card; PM-JAY beneficiaries should carry the Ayushman card or the mobile number linked to their PM-JAY registration.

Is treatment at RML Hospital free for PM-JAY cardholders?

RML Hospital is empanelled under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY. Eligible beneficiaries can receive cashless secondary and tertiary care. Visit the Ayushman Bharat counter near Gate No. 4 (contact 011-23404400) to initiate the process before or at the time of admission. Delhi's PM-JAY rollout (approved in early 2025) provides combined central and state coverage; check current eligibility at mera.pmjay.gov.in or the Ayushman App.

I am a Delhi resident but not covered by PM-JAY. Is there any financial help for costly treatment?

Delhi residents with annual family income up to Rs 3 lakh who have lived in Delhi for at least three years may be eligible for the Delhi Arogya Kosh (DAK) scheme, which provides financial assistance up to Rs 5 lakh for treatment at central and Delhi government hospitals, including RMLH. Approach the Medical Superintendent's office at the hospital for the application form. You will need an income certificate from the area SDM or a National Food Security Card, and proof of Delhi residency for the past three years.

What are the OPD timings at RML Hospital?

Registration at the OPD counter runs Monday to Friday from approximately 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Doctor consultations are generally held from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Selected specialty clinics hold afternoon sessions between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM on specific days — check the department notice board or the hospital website at rmlh.nic.in for the current schedule. Emergency services run 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Can central government employees use RML Hospital under CGHS?

Yes. RML Hospital has a dedicated Nursing Home wing with approximately 94 reserved beds for CGHS beneficiaries, including maternity care. CGHS cardholders do not need a referral slip to visit the hospital for OPD consultation or admission. Present your CGHS card at the relevant counter on arrival.

Related

• Government health schemes in India: a guide
• Check your Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) eligibility
• Safdarjung Hospital appointment and OPD guide
• Lady Hardinge Medical College appointment and OPD guide

Medical Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.