Indian Hospital Goes Paperless to Cut Patient Wait Times

Waiting in long hospital lines with stacks of paper files is about to become history for patients at one of India's busiest government hospitals.

The Government Medical College and Hospital in Chandigarh's Sector 32 is launching an e-hospital system that makes everything from registration to prescriptions completely digital. For a public hospital serving thousands of patients daily, this shift could transform how quickly people get the care they need.

The new system centers on ABHA IDs, digital health accounts that store a patient's entire medical history in one place. Once registered, patients won't need to carry physical cards, old prescriptions, or bulky medical files anymore. When they arrive for an appointment, doctors can pull up their complete health records with a single click.

Dr. G P Thami, the hospital's director, says the change will speed up every step of the patient journey. Token numbers will automatically load patient details onto doctor screens before consultations even begin. Prescriptions and treatment plans get recorded digitally and linked to the patient's ABHA ID, accessible anytime from anywhere.

The hospital is starting with a pilot program on doctors' laptops next week, then gradually expanding to all outpatient and inpatient departments. Officials promise that patients who aren't comfortable with technology won't be left behind. The old paper system will continue running alongside the digital one during the transition.

The Ripple Effect

This move builds on GMCH-32's recent success digitizing its administrative offices, which already reduced paperwork and sped up file processing. Most outpatient departments now offer online registration, and lab reports are available digitally. The hospital is working to bring X-ray films online next and expand digital payment options.

The real magic happens when patients need care elsewhere. Because their medical history lives in the cloud, any doctor at any hospital can access it instantly through their ABHA ID. No more repeating tests, no more forgotten medications, no more guessing about past treatments.

For a public hospital managing massive patient loads, reducing paperwork means shorter lines, less crowding at counters, and better coordination between departments. Healthcare experts say these systems are crucial for high-traffic facilities where efficiency directly impacts how many people get care.

GMCH-32 joins a growing movement of Indian government hospitals embracing technology to improve service delivery, proving that digital transformation can work even in resource-strapped public healthcare settings. When fully implemented, this system could become a model for modernizing hospitals across the country.