The government of Punjab has launched a digital payment system in government hospitals yesterday, to improve transparency, speed, and quality of patient care.
The initiative is being rolled out in collaboration with the Bank of Punjab (BOP) and the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB).
The system has been started in major hospitals such as the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) in Lahore.
Digital applications will allow hospitals to operate completely paperless.
Patients can make payments using modern methods, that includes using various mobile wallets.
Health Minister’s stance at digital system in hospitals
Speaking about the new system, Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique said, “This new system, the digital system, has been designed under the initiative of the Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif.”
Salman Rafique said, “The system was made by the collaboration of the Health Secretary and also with the collaboration of PITB, and BOP.”
He added, “This is a new system, as we all know, and adjusting to it may take eight to 10 months, probably, but it will increase government revenue, and it will be effective.”
The point is that the money will reach only those who are entitled to it, meaning it will not go into anyone’s pocket. Corruption will be eliminated, he said.
The provincial health minister said that you will no longer have to stand in long lines to make payments. You can simply use digital payments to get your patients treated quickly. This is possible, and it will also improve the quality of treatment.
The minister said the program has started at the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) in Lahore, which was the first target.
The next hospitals where the government is about to introduce this system are Jinnah Hospital, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Children’s Hospital, and Mayo Hospital in Lahore.
After the system is successfully operational in Lahore, we will introduce it in all public and semi-public hospitals across Punjab.
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