New Delhi: Starting March 31, AIIMS Delhi will transition to a cashless payment system, introducing the ‘AIIMS Smart Card’ for all transactions across its departments. The system, currently in a pilot phase in select departments, will soon be fully operational 24/7 throughout the institute.
This initiative, in collaboration with the State Bank of India, allows patients to use electronic payment methods like UPI, debit cards, and credit cards. Cash will only be accepted at designated ‘Smart Card’ top-up counters, available round-the-clock in various locations, to facilitate easy recharging of these cards. These counters will be strategically placed within outpatient departments (OPDs), hospitals, and other centers for convenience.
Additionally, AIIMS has established multiple payment endpoints to prevent patients or their attendants from having to queue at central registration counters. This decision, as stated by AIIMS director Prof M Srinivas, stems from a recent incident where an outsourced service provider overcharged patients in another institution, leading to financial and emotional distress.
This shift to a digital payment system aims to enhance patient convenience by eliminating long queues for payments, whether for medical procedures or for amenities like the cafeteria. It also ensures transparent and auditable financial transactions at AIIMS, safeguarding against any potential financial discrepancies.