Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai: Appointment and OPD Guide

Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) in Madurai, affiliated with Madurai Medical College, is a major state-run tertiary care institution in Tamil Nadu. With a capacity of 2,518 beds, it serves as a crucial referral centre for the southern and central districts of the state, providing a wide array of medical services.

As a large public hospital, it handles a significant volume of patients daily. To help manage this, several methods for seeking consultation have been established, from traditional walk-in registration to modern digital booking systems.

This guide provides detailed information on how to get an appointment at Government Rajaji Hospital, its Out-Patient Department (OPD) timings, an overview of treatment costs, and the government financial aid schemes available to patients.

Pay Ward Charges (Per Day)

These charges are for room amenities only. The cost of medical treatment remains the same as in general wards. Rates are subject to change and should be confirmed at the hospital.

• Single Room — ₹1,200
• Deluxe Room — ₹2,000

Consultation and Other Fees

As a government institution, services are provided at a low cost. Please confirm specific charges for registration, tests, and procedures at the relevant hospital counters.

• Out-Patient (OPD) Registration Fee — Information not publicly available

Rates shown are as per the Madurai Medical College Official Website (2024) and are subject to periodic revision. Always verify the latest approved rates on the official source.

How to Get an Appointment

Government Rajaji Hospital offers several ways for patients to register for an Out-Patient Department (OPD) consultation. These methods are designed to accommodate different preferences and help manage patient flow.

The options for getting an OP ticket include:

**Walk-in Registration:** Patients can visit the hospital and register in person at the designated OP registration counters. This is the traditional method available for all departments.

**WhatsApp Booking (Nalam AI):** The Government of Tamil Nadu has introduced a WhatsApp chatbot named Nalam AI for booking appointments. To use this service, send a "Hi" message to the number 9619222999 and follow the on-screen instructions. This allows for remote registration to reduce time spent in queues at the hospital.

**Online Portal/App:** As part of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, an Aadhaar-linked online appointment system is available for government hospitals in the state. This system allows patients to register online and receive a token number, which can streamline the consultation process upon arrival.

Regarding timings, the General OPD typically begins at 7:30 A.M. Specialty department OPDs, such as Medical Gastroenterology, generally operate between 10:00 A.M. and 12:00 Noon, daily except on Sundays.

How Long It Takes to Get Seen

As a major tertiary referral hospital, Government Rajaji Hospital attends to a large number of patients daily. The waiting time can vary depending on the specific department, the number of patients on a particular day, and whether you have a pre-booked token.

The digital appointment systems, like the Nalam AI WhatsApp service and the online portal, are specifically designed to reduce waiting times. By booking in advance, patients can secure a token number, which helps in organising the queue and managing patient flow more efficiently.

For walk-in registrations, arriving early can be beneficial, particularly for the General OPD, which opens at 7:30 A.M. For specialty clinics, arriving before the 10:00 A.M. start time is advisable. Patients should be prepared for potential waits, as is common in large public healthcare facilities.

What Treatment Costs and Financial Help

Being a government-run institution, Government Rajaji Hospital provides medical services and treatments at a very low cost. However, the specific fee for the initial OPD registration is not published on the hospital's official website or its informational pages. Patients should confirm the current registration fee at the hospital's counter upon arrival.

The hospital is empanelled under major government health insurance schemes to provide free or subsidised care to eligible citizens:

**Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS):** This is the flagship health insurance scheme of the Tamil Nadu government. It offers cashless treatment for a wide range of procedures to families with an annual income below a specified limit.

**Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY):** The hospital also accepts the national Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, which is integrated with the state's CMCHIS. This scheme provides health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation.

For patients who prefer rooms with more amenities, the hospital has introduced pay wards. These come at an affordable cost, with single rooms priced at ₹1,200 per day and deluxe rooms at ₹2,000 per day. It is important to note that these charges cover only the room facilities; the cost of medical treatment itself remains the same as in the general wards. The hospital also offers a low-cost Master Health Check-up package for preventive screening.

Key Departments and Services

Government Rajaji Hospital is a comprehensive medical centre with a vast range of clinical departments, covering general, specialty, and super-specialty care. The hospital is noted for being the only one in the state where doctors across all specialty departments are available 24/7 for emergencies.

The hospital's infrastructure includes a Super Specialty Block and a dedicated Trauma Care Centre to handle emergencies and complex cases. Some of the key departments available at the hospital include:

• Cardiology
• Cardiothoracic Surgery
• General Medicine
• General Surgery
• Obstetrics & Gynaecology
• Paediatric Surgery
• Neuro Surgery
• Neurology
• Orthopaedics
• Nephrology
• Endocrinology
• Medical Gastroenterology
• Plastic Surgery
• Oncology
• Psychiatry
• Dermatology (Skin) & STD
• ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat)
• Ophthalmology (Eye)
• Radiology
• Dentistry
• Siddha

More government hospitals in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry

OPD appointment guides for other government hospitals in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry:

• Coimbatore Medical College Hospital: OPD Appointment, Fees, and Schemes
• Thanjavur Medical College Hospital: OPD, Appointments, and Costs
• Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai: OPD Registration & Costs
• JIPMER Puducherry: A Guide to OPD Appointments, Registration, and Costs
• Indira Gandhi Government General Hospital & Post Graduate Institute, Puducherry: An OPD and Cost Guide
• Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital, Chennai: Appointment & Cost Guide
• All government hospital OPD guides in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I book an appointment at Government Rajaji Hospital using WhatsApp?

You can book an appointment using the Tamil Nadu government's Nalam AI service. Send a "Hi" message to the WhatsApp number 9619222999 and follow the instructions provided by the chatbot to register for an OP ticket.

What are the timings for the specialty OPDs at GRH Madurai?

Specialty department OPDs generally function from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 Noon every day, except for Sundays. The General OPD starts earlier, at 7:30 A.M.

What is the cost of OPD registration at Government Rajaji Hospital?

The official hospital sources do not publicly specify the fee for OPD registration. It is advisable to confirm the exact amount at the registration counter when you visit the hospital.

Which government health insurance schemes are accepted at GRH?

The hospital accepts major government schemes, including the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS) of Tamil Nadu and the national Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), providing free or subsidized treatment to eligible beneficiaries.

Are private rooms available at Government Rajaji Hospital?

Yes, the hospital offers pay wards for patients seeking additional amenities. As per available information, single rooms are charged at ₹1,200 per day and deluxe rooms at ₹2,000 per day. The cost of medical treatment itself does not change.

Is Government Rajaji Hospital open 24/7?

The hospital's emergency and casualty services, along with its Trauma Care Centre, are open 24/7. It is also noted for having doctors available around the clock in all specialty departments for emergency cases.

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.