BMC-run medical colleges, hospitals to install face-recognition machines to register attendance more effectively

“What they do is manipulate the fingerprint biometric system by creating molds or taking imprints on plastic, allowing others to clock in on their behalf, or by marking attendance for absent colleagues, effectively bypassing the system designed to ensure accurate tracking,” said a senior doctor of a BMC hospital.

Explaining the introduction of the advanced face-recognition system, officials said it would make the attendance process more stringent and tamper-proof. Additionally, the current fingerprint biometric attendance system takes three days to update attendance details in the BMC’s SAP software. “So, if I want to check whether a certain doctor logged in today or not, I have to wait three days for the data,” said the dean of a BMC-run medical college.

However, the new advanced system would eliminate this long waiting period. Now, within 30 seconds, all details will be uploaded on the system. “If we need to immediately verify a staff member’s presence or conduct a random inspection, we will have the exact day’s data available right away,” the dean added.

The employee attendance registration process using the advanced face-recognition system starts with accessing the “Face Registration for Employee Attendance System” screen, where employees enter their employee number and submit it. This retrieves their registered mobile phone and Aadhaar numbers for verification against the HR system.

The BMC is in the process of acquiring 1,500 facial machines through two contractors.