App-based OPD registration system faces hiccups at Sasaram hospital

Sasaram: A new directive from the State Health Society, Bihar, requiring patients to register for OPD consultations at Sasaram Sadar Hospital through smartphones is encountering initial challenges.
According to hospital sources, under the new system, patients must first register using the BHAVYA app. After registration, a one-time password (OTP) is generated. Once the OTP is entered, an OPD slip is issued, detailing the doctor's name and the patient's queue number.
However, the implementation of the new system has caused confusion outside the OPD counters at the hospital with many patients and their attendants protesting the changes. Following objections, hospital authorities temporarily resumed issuing manual OPD slips on Saturday.
Dr Pushkar, the deputy superintendent of Sasaram Sadar Hospital, said registration through the BHAVYA app has become mandatory for OPD consultation. Acknowledging the difficulties patients are facing, he said that manual slips were temporarily issued to ease the situation.
Nanhe Paswan, a daily-wage worker from Chenari, said, "I spent Rs 60 on transport to reach the hospital only to be denied an OPD slip because I don't have a smartphone."
Narendra Ram from Sheosagar also expressed his difficulties. "I do not have a cellphone. Hence, I asked the hospital staff and strangers for help to get my OPD slip. I waited for hours but still have not received it," he said.
On the other hand, Arun Kumar Singh, a project manager at an electricity company, praised the new app-based registration system. He said it would reduce long queues outside OPD counters, speed up service delivery and improve hospital's efficiency.