Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram: OPD & Cost Guide

Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, is a prominent public healthcare institution located in the capital city of Kerala. Founded in 1951 and inaugurated by India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, it was the first medical college established in the state. The college and its associated hospital operate under the Directorate of Medical Education (DME), Government of Kerala, and are affiliated with the Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS).

With a capacity of over 2,000 beds, the hospital serves a large volume of patients from across the state and beyond. The extensive campus is not only home to the main medical college hospital but also houses several other key institutions. These include the Sree Avittom Thirunal (SAT) Hospital for Women and Children, the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology (RIO), a Dental College, the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC), and the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), making it a comprehensive hub for medical care, education, and research.

Outpatient (OP) Department Fees

The hospital's official pages do not publish a fee schedule for outpatient services. While digital payment facilities are available for services including OP ticket charges, the specific amount is not stated. Patients are advised to confirm the current fee at the registration counter upon arrival.

• OPD Registration Fee — Information not publicly available

Rates shown are as per the Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram Official Website (2023) and are subject to periodic revision. Always verify the latest approved rates on the official source.

How to get an appointment

Patients seeking consultation at the Out-Patient (OP) departments of Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, can book appointments primarily through the Government of Kerala's e-Health online portal. This system is designed to streamline the process and reduce waiting times at the hospital.

To use the online service, you must first complete a one-time registration on the ehealth.kerala.gov.in website. This requires your Aadhaar number to generate a unique 16-digit personal health identification number and a password. Once registered, you can log in to the portal with these credentials to book an OP ticket, select a department, and choose a specific time slot for your doctor's consultation.

For those who arrive at the hospital without a prior online booking, the facility also offers a 'Scan-n-book' service to help manage walk-in appointments for OP services.

How long it takes to get seen

While the hospital is listed as being open 24/7, this applies mainly to its emergency and casualty services. The Out-Patient Department (OPD) operates on a fixed schedule. The official hospital website publishes a detailed roster of doctors and their available consultation days for each department.

Specific OP registration hours are not explicitly mentioned on the website. However, at most government hospitals in Kerala, OP ticket counters generally close for the day between 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM. While there have been reports of OP hours being extended to 2:00 PM in some government hospitals, these changes may not apply to medical colleges. It is advisable to arrive early in the day to ensure you can complete the registration process in time to be seen by a doctor.

What treatment costs and financial help

As a state-run institution, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, provides services at subsidised rates. However, a detailed schedule of charges for various treatments, procedures, and diagnostics is not made publicly available. The cost of care is significantly lower than in private facilities, and further financial assistance is available through various government health schemes for eligible individuals.

The hospital accepts major national and state-level health insurance programmes. These schemes help cover the cost of hospitalisation for eligible beneficiaries:

As of March 2026, the Kerala government also approved a new universal health coverage scheme. This initiative aims to provide financial protection to families who are not covered under KASP or other existing programmes.

• **Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)**: This central government scheme offers health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation.
• **Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi (KASP)**: This is a flagship health scheme of the Government of Kerala, which also provides an annual coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family for hospitalisation expenses, targeted at low-income families.

Key departments

The hospital provides a comprehensive range of medical and surgical services through its various clinical departments. Some of the key specialities available include:

The campus also includes several super-speciality centres and autonomous institutions that offer focused care, such as the Sree Avittom Thirunal Hospital for Women and Children (SAT Hospital), the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology (RIO), and a dedicated Dental College.

• Anaesthesia
• Cardiology
• Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery
• Dermatology & Venereology
• Emergency Medicine
• Endocrinology
• Gastroenterology (Medical and Surgical)
• General Medicine
• Nephrology
• Neurology and Neurosurgery
• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Respiratory Medicine (Pulmonology)
• Community Medicine

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I book an OP appointment online at GMC Thiruvananthapuram?

You can book an outpatient appointment through the Kerala government's e-Health portal (ehealth.kerala.gov.in). You will need to register on the site using your Aadhaar number to get a unique health ID, which can then be used to log in and schedule your visit.

What is the fee for an OPD consultation?

The exact fee for an outpatient (OPD) ticket is not published on the hospital's official website. It is recommended to confirm the current amount at the hospital's registration counter.

What are the timings for OPD registration?

While a detailed doctor schedule is available online, specific registration hours are not listed. Generally, OP ticket counters at government hospitals in Kerala close between 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM. Plan to arrive early in the morning.

Does Government Medical College Thiruvananthapuram accept health insurance schemes?

Yes, as a government hospital, it accepts major schemes like Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY and Kerala's Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi (KASP). Both schemes provide coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for hospitalisation.

Is this a government or private hospital?

Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, is a state government-run hospital operating under the Directorate of Medical Education, Government of Kerala.

What other major medical centres are located on the GMC campus?

The campus hosts several specialised institutions, including the Sree Avittom Thirunal (SAT) Hospital for Women and Children, the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology (RIO), a Dental College, the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC), and the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST).

Related

• How to find an Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) hospital near you
• Government health schemes in India: a guide
• Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY eligibility check

Medical Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.