Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Dec 16: In a significant move, several hospitals in Jammu and Kashmir have initiated digital payment facilities for the convenience of patients.
An official in the health department said that the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) has instructed hospital administrators to implement QR codes for digital payments, enhancing efficiency and transparency in healthcare transactions.
Dr Shafqat Khan, Additional Mission Director, ABDM, J&K, highlighted the importance of facilitating digital payments in hospitals. He said approximately 10 health institutions have already introduced this facility, and all health institutions are expected to adopt it in the coming days.
“The implementation of digital payment facilities aims to reduce waiting times for payment processes. Hospital heads have been directed to create digital payment options, including QR codes for UPI payments and provisions for debit/credit card payments through Point of Sale (PoS) machines,” Dr Khan said.
Despite available interventions to simplify payment processes, cash transactions were prevalent in hospitals, prompting the directive, he said, adding that the ABDM aligns with the Digital India platform and seeks to digitise all payments within citizen-centric government services.
This initiative has received widespread appreciation, as it eliminates the need for patients or attendants to visit ATMs for cash before making payments at hospitals. Patients said they have faced challenges with change availability at ticket counters, which often leads to delays and sometimes extra charges.
“The cashier at the ticket counter often says there is no change available which leads to delay in turn. So, most of the time, the patients ask them to keep the change. Now, this facility will bring transparency and save time,” said a patient at Children Hospital Bemina.
Meanwhile, a health official said that in the era of technological advancements, digital payments are revolutionising the healthcare landscape by offering a myriad of benefits within hospital settings.
He said the digital transactions eliminate the need for manual paperwork and reduce administrative burdens on both patients and hospital staff.
“This not only accelerates payment cycles but also minimises the likelihood of errors and ensures accurate financial records. The increased convenience of digital payments contributes to a more positive patient experience. Patients can settle bills swiftly through online platforms or mobile apps, bypassing the inconvenience of traditional payment methods. This not only enhances patient satisfaction but also fosters a more efficient and patient-centric healthcare environment,” he said
The automation of payment processes reduces the time between service delivery and payment receipt, allowing hospitals to manage their finances more effectively while the transparency provided by digital payment systems aids in tracking and managing revenue streams, the official added.
