Gurgaon: Long queues at registration counters are passé. Patients visiting Sector 10 Civil Hospital can now book OPD appointments online while a separate facility allows them to make UPI payments for services that attract charges. Patients without smartphones can continue to obtain OPD cards through walk-in registration and pay in cash. While most basic healthcare services at govt hospitals are provided free of cost, certain services carry fees.The initiative aims to reduce waiting time, streamline hospital transactions and make registration and payments more convenient, while retaining walk-in registration and cash payments for patients who cannot access digital services. Patients who book appointments online must visit the hospital on the scheduled date. A designated counter will guide them to the concerned doctor, helping reduce the time spent queuing for registration. Chief medical officer Virendra Baswana said, “The hospital has also introduced UPI payments for registration, diagnostic investigations and X-rays. Patients can use digital payments instead of carrying cash for services that attract charges.”A QR code displayed at the hospital’s pre-registration counter directs patients to an online appointment portal. New users can register by entering their details, while existing patients can verify their identity using their unique health ID (UHID). After selecting the hospital and appointment date, patients can review their booking and receive an appointment confirmation number through SMS.The services that carry fees include inpatient charges of Rs 10 per day and Rs 250 for a medico-legal case (MLC) report, as well as charges for duplicate MLC reports. Blood supplied by a govt hospital’s blood bank to another hospital may also attract charges. Other paid services include thyroid and cholesterol tests, while surgical packages may be chargeable for patients from outside Haryana, subject to applicable rules.National Health Mission (Haryana) director Virender Yadav said the state issued directions on Oct 16 for all districts to introduce cashless payments and online pre-registration at civil and sub-divisional hospitals.“All districts have been directed to start the service to increase transparency in the system. We will encourage everyone to follow the cashless process in govt hospitals. The facility will be extended to primary health centres as well. For now, pre-registration will be available at civil hospitals and will gradually be expanded to other hospitals,” Yadav said.Faridabad’s BK Civil Hospital has also introduced online pre-registration for OPD visits and online payments at its counters. Patients can register through the hospital portal using their mobile numbers, while existing patients can use their UHID. They must visit the hospital on the appointment date, with a designated counter available to guide them to the concerned doctor.Apart from the city and Faridabad, civil hospitals in Hansi, Karnal, Rohtak and Rewari have introduced pre-registration facilities and QR code-based systems. Images shared from Rohtak show QR code and barcode-based systems for public information, patient registration, emergency services and digital payments. A pre-registration counter with a QR code has also been set up at Civil Hospital, Ambala City.
