Chandigarh (Balwinder Singh): Haryana has introduced UPI-based digital payment facilities at 610 government health institutions to simplify hospital transactions and reduce waiting times for patients. The state has also expanded online outpatient department (OPD) pre-registration and introduced a ‘Scan and Register’ facility at 118 health institutions.
Dr Sumita Mishra, Additional Chief Secretary of the Haryana Health and Family Welfare Department, said the initiative aims to make registration and payment processes easier, reduce waiting periods and improve access to healthcare services.
According to the department, the UPI payment facility is now available at all 23 district civil hospitals, 52 civil and sub-divisional hospitals, 121 community health centres and 414 primary health centres. The facility has also been introduced at the civil surgeon offices across all 23 districts.
Patients can use UPI to pay applicable charges for OPD registration, inpatient department (IPD) registration, medico-legal cases and other health services.
Online OPD Registration To Help Patients Save Time
The health department has strengthened online OPD pre-registration at hospitals connected to the e-Upchaar Hospital Management Information System.
The facility covers 23 district civil hospitals and 31 civil and sub-divisional hospitals, along with other linked health facilities. Patients can complete their OPD registration online before visiting a hospital, helping them avoid long queues at registration counters.
Patients who book appointments online will need to visit the hospital on the specified date and at the allotted time. Separate counters have also been established to assist with pre-registration.
The department has introduced a ‘Scan and Pay’ facility to make fee payments faster and more convenient.
‘Scan And Register’ Available At 118 Health Institutions
The department has also launched the ‘Scan and Register’ facility at 118 health institutions operating under the e-Hospital system, including facilities at the primary health centre level.
Through this option, patients can scan a QR code to register for OPD services without having to stand in the conventional registration queue. The facility is expected to help ease crowding at registration counters, particularly during peak hours.
The initiative is part of the state government’s efforts to use digital technology to streamline administrative processes in public healthcare facilities.
Cash Payments And Offline Registration To Continue
Dr Mishra clarified that the introduction of digital services would not end existing payment and registration arrangements.
Patients who do not own smartphones or do not use digital payment applications will continue to be able to register directly at hospitals and pay applicable charges in cash.
The department said the aim is to make healthcare services more accessible and convenient without causing difficulties for patients who cannot use digital platforms.
UPI System Rolled Out Across Haryana After Panipat Trial
According to the health department, the UPI payment system was first tested at the District Civil Hospital in Panipat. Following what the department described as positive results, the facility was extended to other districts.
A state-level workshop was held on October 13, during which civil surgeons and deputy civil surgeons were directed to implement the digital payment facility by October 16.
The department said the system was rolled out across all 23 districts within the stipulated timeframe.
Dr Mishra said digital payments and online registration would help make hospital processes more organised and transparent while saving patients time. The department added that it would continue working to provide accessible and timely healthcare services across the state.
