In a bid to enhance patient convenience and promoting digital transactions, Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the AIIMS-SBI Smart Payment Card at AIIMS, New Delhi. The card, introduced in collaboration with the State Bank of India (SBI), is set to streamline payment processes for medical treatments at the prestigious medical institute.
Addressing the gathering at the launch ceremony, Dr. Mandaviya underscored the importance of the AIIMS Smart Payment Card in alleviating the challenges faced by patients, particularly those hailing from remote areas who traditionally rely on carrying cash for medical expenses. He emphasized that the card’s implementation marks a significant milestone in patient care services and aligns with the government’s Digital India initiative spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Termed as ‘One AIIMS, One Card’, the Smart Payment Card is poised to facilitate swift and hassle-free fund transfers from any part of the country, addressing urgent payment requirements for patients undergoing treatment at AIIMS, New Delhi. Dr. Mandaviya also revealed plans to extend the services of these cards to all AIIMS facilities across the nation, further enhancing accessibility and convenience for patients.
The Smart Payment Card, provided free of cost to all patients, is intricately linked to the patient’s Unique Hospital Identification (UHID) number and the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. This linkage ensures secure transactions, with top-ups and refunds requiring a One Time Password (OTP) sent to the registered mobile number linked to the patient’s UHID, thus minimizing the risk of fraud and theft.
Moreover, the card boasts a five-year validity period and offers seamless integration with the E-Hospital system at AIIMS, enabling transparent reconciliation of all financial transactions by the Finance Division.
At the launch event, an MoU was also signed to formalize the collaboration between SBI and AIIMS New Delhi for the implementation of the Smart Card system. Dr. M Srinivas, Director of AIIMS New Delhi, and Shri Manjeet Singh, Deputy General Manager of SBI, were among the dignitaries present.
