Scan & Share facility to be started with extra counter: MS
Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, May 24: People visiting Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag today expressed their frustration over the excessive time it takes to complete their Outpatient Department (OPD) registrations, while the authorities have, so far, remained indifferent to the issue.
As per the complaints, patients are being forced to endure hours of waiting to secure their registration cards before they can proceed to meet with doctors. One patient, Muhammad Akbar, shared his experience, stating, “I arrived here at 10 in the morning, and it is already noon, but I am still unable to reach the counter to obtain my OPD registration card and see the doctor.”
The hospital, being a medical college, people said, is expected to provide better facilities and services to ensure a smooth and convenient experience for patients compared to other healthcare institutions. Disappointed visitors argue that the OPD registration process should be expedited to minimize the waiting time or they should be asked to travel to Srinagar.
“Previously, we could complete OPD registrations within a few minutes, but now it takes 10-12 minutes per person. If 50 people are waiting in line, you can imagine the extended waiting period,” complained Tanveer Ahmad, another patient waiting in an endless queue.
The aggrieved individuals, who said they travelled from distant areas within the Anantnag district to reach the hospital, mentioned that the previous offline system was a blessing as it significantly reduced waiting times. However, they said, they now face additional difficulties due to the online OPD registration system.
“The new online system has made the entire process more challenging. They require numerous patient details, which further increases the wait time. Moreover, considering the high number of patients, the limited number of counters exacerbates the situation,” explained the frustrated visitors.
It is worth noting that the hospital employs an existing portal for issuing OPD tickets, which requires operators to input data and other patient details, resulting in a time-consuming process that prolongs waiting times and adds to the overall burden faced by patients.
Responding to the concerns raised, Dr Malik Aubid Hussian, the Medical Superintendent of GMC Anantnag, acknowledged the issue and assured the public that appropriate measures would be taken. He stated, “Although a few counters are currently operational, we will be opening an additional counter this week to meet the growing patient demand.”
In response to queries about the implementation of the Scan and Share facility, an initiative introduced by the Health & Medical Education (H&ME) Department to streamline OPD registrations and reduce waiting times, the Medical Superintendent confirmed that the facility would also be made available at the hospital in a few days, noting that the measures are expected to alleviate the burden on patients and enhance overall patient care.
Follow our WhatsApp channel