IPGMER and SSKM Hospital, Kolkata: OPD Appointment and Costs

The Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research (IPGMER) and its associated Seth Sukhlal Karnani Memorial (SSKM) Hospital is a prominent state-run medical institution located in Kolkata, West Bengal. Situated at A.J.C. Bose Road, it serves as a major tertiary referral hospital for the state and surrounding regions, providing a wide array of medical and surgical services.

As a government facility, it offers healthcare that is accessible to a large population. The hospital has a sanctioned bed strength of 1775, with functional capacity reported to be around 3,300 beds when including its various annex units. It also features a 244-bed Level-1 Trauma Care Centre and provides 24-hour emergency services.

This guide provides detailed information on how to secure an Out-Patient Department (OPD) appointment, the registration process, associated costs, and the financial assistance schemes available at IPGMER and SSKM Hospital.

OPD Registration and Consultation Fees

The OPD registration fee is payable at the hospital's registration counters. The counters are open from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for new patient registration and consultations.

• OPD Registration Card — ₹2.00
• Emergency Registration — Free of charge

Rates shown are as per the Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research (IPGMER) Official Website (2024) and are subject to periodic revision. Always verify the latest approved rates on the official source.

How to get an appointment

Patients can obtain an OPD appointment at IPGMER and SSKM Hospital through two primary methods: online booking or walk-in registration.

**Online Appointment Booking:** Patients can pre-book their appointments using the West Bengal government's Online Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) portal. To do this, you need to visit the official portal at onlinehmis.wbhealth.gov.in. The process involves registering as a patient, selecting 'IPGME&R or SSKM Hospital' from the list of facilities, choosing the specific department you need to visit, and picking an available date. After successful booking, an OPD ticket is generated, which can be downloaded and printed. This ticket must be presented at the hospital on the day of the appointment.

**Walk-in Registration:** For those who cannot book online or prefer to register in person, walk-in registration is available at the hospital. Patients need to visit the OPD registration counters, which operate from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. You will be required to provide basic details to obtain an OPD card for a nominal fee. It is advisable to arrive early, as there can be long queues, especially for high-demand departments.

How long it takes to get seen

The waiting time to see a doctor at IPGMER and SSKM Hospital can vary significantly based on several factors. The general OPD consultation hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Patients with online appointments may experience a more streamlined process but should still expect some waiting period.

For walk-in patients, the time taken depends on the patient load in the specific department on that day. Some super-specialty clinics may have different schedules or longer waiting lists. To manage wait times, it is recommended to arrive at the hospital early in the morning, particularly if you are a walk-in patient. For any urgent medical needs, the hospital's Casualty and Emergency services are operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing immediate attention for critical cases.

What treatment costs and financial help

As a hospital run by the State Government of West Bengal, IPGMER and SSKM Hospital provides many services at highly subsidized rates. The primary cost for an outpatient visit is the initial registration fee of ₹2.00.

For admitted patients, the hospital supports several government health insurance and benefit schemes, which can help cover the cost of treatments, surgeries, and hospital stays. The key schemes accepted are:

**Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY):** The hospital is empanelled under the national Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, offering cashless services to eligible beneficiaries from across India.

**West Bengal Health Scheme (WBHS):** This state-specific scheme provides medical benefits to West Bengal state government employees, pensioners, and their dependent family members.

To further reduce the financial burden on patients, the hospital campus hosts a Fair Price Medicine Shop. This shop, operating under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, provides medicines and essential medical devices at significantly discounted prices compared to the open market.

Key departments

IPGMER and SSKM Hospital has over 40 clinical and academic departments, offering a comprehensive range of medical and surgical care. It also houses several institutes of excellence. Some of the key departments include:

• Anaesthesiology
• Cardiology
• Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgery
• Dermatology
• Endocrinology & Metabolism
• ENT (Otorhinolaryngology)
• Gastroenterology
• General Medicine
• General Surgery
• Gynaecology & Obstetrics
• Nephrology
• Neurology (Neuromedicine)
• Neurosurgery
• Ophthalmology (Eye)
• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Paediatric Medicine
• Psychiatry
• Urology

More government hospitals in West Bengal

OPD appointment guides for other government hospitals in West Bengal:

• Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata: OPD Appointment and Fees
• Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital: Appointment & OPD Guide
• R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata: OPD Appointment and Costs
• AIIMS Kalyani: OPD Appointment, Registration, and Fees
• Burdwan Medical College and Hospital: Appointment, OPD Registration & Cost Guide
• North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, Siliguri: OPD, Rates, and Schemes
• All government hospital OPD guides in Kolkata
• All government hospital OPD guides in West Bengal

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the OPD registration fee at SSKM Hospital?

The fee to obtain an Out-Patient Department (OPD) registration card is ₹2.00. Registration for emergency cases is provided free of charge.

Can I book an appointment online for IPGMER?

Yes, you can book an OPD appointment online through the West Bengal government's Online Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) portal at onlinehmis.wbhealth.gov.in.

What are the OPD timings at SSKM Hospital?

The OPD registration counters are open from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. General consultation hours for the OPD are also from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday.

Does SSKM Hospital accept the Ayushman Bharat card?

Yes, IPGMER and SSKM Hospital is an empanelled facility under the Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) scheme and accepts eligible beneficiaries.

What is the full name of SSKM Hospital?

The full name is Seth Sukhlal Karnani Memorial Hospital. It is the associated teaching hospital of the Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research (IPGMER).

Are emergency services available 24/7 at SSKM Hospital?

Yes, the hospital's Casualty and Emergency services are available 24 hours a day, throughout the year, to handle urgent and critical medical conditions.

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.