BENGALURU, 11 MARCH

Despite Bengaluru's rapid shift to digital transactions, government hospitals like Victoria Hospital continue to struggle with outdated systems, causing significant inconvenience—especially for economically weaker patients.

Although the hospital has introduced QR codes for UPI payments, the lack of an efficient refund mechanism has left many patients waiting for days to reclaim excess payments. Hospital officials say the refund process currently takes between one week and 10 days, leading to considerable distress for those who overpay in haste or confusion.

"In a rush, people often make excess payments—like Rs 4,000 instead of Rs 400. We always advise them to be careful while making transactions," said Jayalakshmi, a cashier at Victoria Hospital.

In just the past two months, at least 15 cases of overpayment have been reported, with refunds still pending. The verification process requires extracting transaction statements, submitting them to the department, and waiting for management approval—leading to lengthy delays.

For patients traveling from distant towns and villages, the situation is even more challenging. "I came from Shivamogga to attend to my ailing mother. Returning for a refund means losing a day’s wages and spending on travel," said Avinash, a teacher.

While the hospital claims it is working to streamline the process, many have urged the government to implement a real-time refund system to prevent further inconvenience. Experts continue to highlight outdated infrastructure, bureaucratic delays, and a lack of digital literacy as key challenges in government institutions.