No cash payments at AIIMS Delhi from March 31, smart card rolled out on trial basis

According to the institute, the smart card facility will be started in collaboration with State Bank of India. It will be the only way to make payments for all investigations and procedures other than electronic payments via UPI, debit cards, credit cards, etc.

“Cash will be accepted only at the AIIMS smart card “top up” counters, which will be operational 24×7 at multiple locations within OPDs, hospitals and centres,” said an official.

The payments can be made at the payment end points at different locations so that patients or their attendants do not have to visit central registration counters.

AIIMS director Prof M Srinivas, in an order, stated that the decision was taken after an outsourced service provider charged more after tampering with the final discharge bills, causing financial loss and mental agony to several patients in another institution.

“This further highlights the importance of transitioning to 100% integrated digital payment systems at AlIMS New Delhi so as to ensure that no patient is fleeced and the Institute accounting is also auditable on an end-to-end basis,” the order said.

The order added that the move to digital payment mode has been made to improve patient convenience so that they don’t have to stand in queues to make payments for various investigations and procedures or to get snacks/food in the cafeteria, etc.