Posted By :  Admin1

New Delhi: AIIMS Delhi revealed on Wednesday its plans to expand the implementation of the AIIMS Smart Card from a pilot phase in specific departments to a comprehensive rollout across all sections by March 31, allowing for diverse payment functionalities. The statement clarified that following this, cash payments will only be accepted at the designated 'AIIMS Smart Card' top-up counters. These counters, operationalized at various locations, will function around the clock on a 24x7 basis. AIIMS specified that, apart from electronic payment methods such as UPI, debit cards, and credit cards, the exclusive mode for payments for all investigations and procedures will be through the AIIMS Smart Card. Dr. M. Srinivas, the Director, made reference to a issued office memorandum dated November 17, 2022, advising the commencement of the 'AIIMS Smart Card' facility for patients and attendants in collaboration with SBI Bank, effective from April 15, 2023. The order mentioned that the transition to digital payment methods aimed to enhance patient convenience by eliminating the need for queuing to make payments for investigations, procedures, snacks, or cafeteria purchases. The statement noted a recent news report, emphasizing that at another comparable institution, an outsourced service provider had manipulated the final discharge bills of patients, resulting in overcharging and causing financial loss and mental distress to the individuals concerned. The office order underscored the imperative of transitioning to a 100% integrated digital payment system at AIIMS, Delhi. This move is crucial not only to prevent potential exploitation of patients but also to ensure a thorough end-to-end auditability of the Institute's financial records. The order recommended the implementation of the AIIMS Smart Card, initially introduced on a pilot basis in specific areas, to be extended across all departments of AIIMS New Delhi for various payments, with the target completion date set for March 31, 2024. Payments will be accepted at the nearest payment end points to the patient's location, and patients or their attendants will not be required to visit central registration counters for any payment transactions.