Inks MoU with J&K Bank for payment gateway
Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Mar 10: After the Government selected the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura as a starting point for the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) in J&K, the hospital today formally integrated the Hospital Information System (HIS) with the ABDM.
On the occasion, the premium healthcare institute of J&K also signed an MoU with the J&K Bank for starting an online payment system in the hospital aimed at facilitating payments for effective patient care.
While speaking on the occasion, Vivek Bhardwaj, Additional Chief Secretary, Health & Medical Education who was chief guest, lauded the SKIMS for its robust Health Information System.
He said that the integration of SKIMS HIS with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission will mark a new beginning and the SKIMS will become a role model for the entire country.
He emphasized the digital revolution in various aspects of life is making huge strides to ease our lives. “Case in point being current elections in the country wherein results are declared virtually by the time the voting finishes,” he said.
It is to be noted here that SKIMS being the biggest hospital in J&K has been selected to act as a starting point for kick-starting the project whose pilot run has earlier been carried out in 6 UTs.
Under the project which was rolled out after the approval by the Union Cabinet on February 26, a unique ID will be given to the people and by using that, they can avail themselves healthcare services anywhere across the country.
Under the scheme, the citizens will be entitled to create their unique accounts and beneficiaries will be enabled to link their digital health records.
Director SKIMS Prof. Parvaiz A Koul said that the integration of existing HIS at SKIMS with Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission as part of the Digital India Program will undoubtedly make healthcare delivery services easy and more accessible.
While dispelling the apprehensions about digital health records, Prof Koul said it is absolutely safe and protects the privacy of the patient and will enhance the efficiency of the healthcare system.
He further added that SKIMS will soon have a fully cashless transaction system and thanked J&K Bank for their constant support. “Signing of MoU with the J&K bank on this platform is the final step towards it,” he said.
The event was organized by the Department of IT & Electronics & Communication/ Information Technology and Hospital Administration SKIMS.
“It is a major step towards hassle-free, digitized and integrated healthcare services and will benefit the general public to draw benefits of healthcare facilities in a seamless digital manner,” SKIMS PRO said.
Syed Shafat Hussain Rufai, Zonal Head Kashmir Central, J&K Bank who was also present on the occasion assured full support. “The bank will facilitate SKIMS at every step for better patient care delivery,” he said.
Farooq Ahmad Wani, Superintendent Engineer IT & Electronic Communications SKIMS highlighted the role of IT systems in SKIMS and said the department has come a long way in making the system robust and efficient through IT solutions.
He acknowledged the role of IT professionals in SKIMS who he said are working at multiple levels and strengthening healthcare services at SKIMS.
Dean Medical Faculty Prof. Tariq A Gojwari, Mohd Yaseen Choudhary (IAS) Mission Director, National Health Mission J&K, Nodal officer Ayushman Bharat Dr G.H Yatoo, Medical Superintendent SKIMS Dr Farooq Ahmad Jan and Assistant Professor Samina Mufti also spoke on the occasion and deliberated on the importance of the integration of the HIS and the benefits of the ABDM.
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