Patients at Coimbatore Medical College Hospital Struggle with Cashless Payment
Cashless Policy at Coimbatore Hospital Raises Accessibility Concerns
Coimbatore: Following the recent implementation of a cashless payment system by the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation Limited (TNMSCL) at CT and MRI scanning centres across the state, many patients at Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) are facing challenges in adapting to the new system.
According to TOI, "Most of the patients here are economically disadvantaged and come from rural areas. Though digital payments are a technological advancement, many of us, especially the poor, either do not know how to use them or do not have smartphones. We struggle to make payments at the scanning centre," said a patient.
Also Read: No cash payments from April 1, Delhi AIIMS rolls out smart card facility
In several instances, patients have been forced to depend on others to convert cash into digital payments, creating unnecessary complications during their medical care. Following these challenges, patients have requested the hospital administration consider accepting cash payments, particularly for those unable to make digital transactions.
Dr. A. Nirmala, Dean of CMCH, acknowledged the challenges faced by patients but clarified the hospital’s stance. Speaking to TOI, Dr Nirmala said, "Patients who are able to pay via UPI and cards are encouraged to do so online. For those who do not have smartphones or are unable to make digital payments, hospital staff have been instructed to collect cash from them."
This initiative aims to improve the efficiency and transparency of hospital transactions, especially at high-traffic areas like CT and MRI scanning centres.
As part of this initiative, Point of Sale (POS) machines and soundboxes with QR codes for UPI payments have been introduced across government hospitals in the state to facilitate digital transactions.
Also Read: Know Your Doctor: Maharashtra Medical Council to combat quackery with QR Codes
Medical Dialogues had previously reported that the much-awaited 'Know Your Doctor', an exclusive and one-of-a-kind platform created to combat the growing menace of quacks in the state and ensure the highest standards of patient safety, has been ultimately launched by the Maharashtra Medical Council. This innovative mobile application will allow patients to verify a doctor's credentials before seeking medical treatment.
