SKIMS, banks fail Digital India idea: Patients face long queues for lack of online payment facilities

By: Peerzada Ummer

Srinagar: The Digital India Campaign, which aims to facilitate online payments across public and private sectors, appears to have faltered at the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Kashmir’s premier medical institute. Patients continue to face long, serpentine queues at the outpatient department (OPD) counters, where they are forced to rummage for cash, specifically 10 Rs notes, to acquire their OPD cards.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) Correspondent, under the scorching heat, patients and their attendants were seen waiting in extensive lines, eager to get their entries registered. Alarmingly, online payment options are not accepted at these counters. Instead, patients are instructed by counter staff to pay in cash, with no QR scanners visible at any of the counters.

When contacted about the situation, Medical Superintendent Dr. Farooq Jaan feigned ignorance regarding the issue. He suggested that more information could be obtained from the Public Relations Officer (PRO). “I can only tell you that much has been done on this matter. As far as your question about the non-availability of the QR Code system is concerned, it is better that a quote pertaining to the matter may be sought from the concerned PRO,” Dr. Jaan told KNO.

Upon reaching out to the PRO’s office via the institute’s exchange line, an unidentified person claimed that QR Codes are available and functional. He attributed the issues to occasional problems with the banks. However, when this correspondent pointed out that they had personally requested a QR code at the OPD counter and were told to provide cash instead, the individual promised to verify the details and provide an update later.

This situation is particularly concerning given that just this past March, SKIMS announced the implementation of a QR Code payment system at its counters to expedite payments across all hospital services. A spokesperson for the hospital had confirmed that online payment via QR Code was operational at one OPD service area counter and that a scan-and-share facility was also available. Additionally, the spokesperson in March this year noted that efforts were underway to equip every counter with QR Code payment options to enhance patient care services at SKIMS.

As of now, the situation remains unresolved, and patients continue to struggle with outdated payment methods, raising questions about the effectiveness of the Digital India initiative at one of the region’s most vital healthcare institutions. —(KNO)