Digital Payments, Online OP Booking, M-Health App, and ‘Scan and Book’ System to Be Launched on April 7
Thiruvananthapuram – Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Saturday announced a significant digital leap in the state’s public healthcare system with the rollout of digital payment facilities across government hospitals. The initiative aims to ease fee transactions for patients by enabling cashless payments via credit/debit cards and UPI apps like Google Pay and PhonePe.
In the first phase, 313 government hospitals have implemented the digital payment system. The state plans to expand the service to all hospitals within a month, according to an official release from the Health Minister’s office.
The project is being executed in collaboration with the Information Kerala Mission under the Department of Local Self-Government, with POS devices provided by State Bank of India and Canara Bank.
The digital payment facility will be launched alongside other digital health services on April 7, including the online OP ticket booking system, M-Health mobile app, and the Scan and Book system.
Online OP Ticket Booking Across 687 Hospitals
An online OP ticket booking system has been introduced to ease the process of consulting doctors at government hospitals. In the initial phase, 687 hospitals under the e-health scheme, along with 80 other health centres, from taluk hospitals to medical colleges, will offer this facility.
Patients can book OP tickets using smartphones, computers, or at Akshaya centres.
M-Health App: Health Records at Your Fingertips
The M-Health app, available for Android smartphones, allows users to access their digital health records, including prescriptions, lab reports, and family health data. The app supports login via Unique Health Identity (UHID) or mobile number, and also offers OP ticket booking.
‘Scan and Book’ System for Instant OP Tokens
To reduce queues at hospital receptions, the government is introducing a ‘Scan and Book’ feature. Patients arriving without prior appointments can scan a QR code at the hospital using their phones to instantly receive an OP token, enabling faster access to doctor services without waiting in line.
These initiatives are part of Kerala’s broader push toward digital healthcare transformation, aimed at improving accessibility, convenience, and efficiency in the public health sector.
