AIIMS Delhi has announced the expansion of its AIIMS Smart Card initiative, initially introduced on a pilot basis in select departments. The premier health institute aims to implement this smart card system across all sections by March 31, facilitating various payment transactions.
Under this new system, cash payments will no longer be accepted at counters, except for designated 'AIIMS Smart Card' top-up counters, strategically positioned in multiple locations and operational 24x7. The AIIMS Smart Card becomes the exclusive means for settling payments related to investigations and procedures, excluding electronic modes like UPI, debit cards, and credit cards.
Director Dr. M Srinivas, in reference to a November 17, 2022 office memorandum, highlighted the collaborative effort with SBI Bank to introduce the 'AIIMS Smart Card' facility for patients and attendants, effective from April 15, 2023. This move towards digital payments aims to enhance patient convenience, eliminating the need to stand in queues for various transactions, including payments for investigations, procedures, and cafeteria services.
The decision is reinforced by recent reports of malpractices in another institution, where an outsourced service provider manipulated patient discharge bills, causing financial loss and distress. In response, AIIMS stresses the urgency of transitioning to a fully integrated digital payment system, ensuring transparency and preventing any potential exploitation of patients.
To achieve this, AIIMS aims to operationalize the AIIMS Smart Card throughout AIIMS New Delhi for all payments by March 31, 2024. The institute emphasizes that payment endpoints will be conveniently located near patients, eliminating the need for them or their attendants to visit central registration counters for transactions. This strategic implementation seeks to streamline processes, enhance security, and prioritize patient welfare in the evolving landscape of healthcare transactions.
(With Agency Inputs)
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