OPD Appointment Guide: Sir Sunderlal Hospital BHU, Varanasi

Sir Sunderlal Hospital (SSH), part of the Institute of Medical Sciences at Banaras Hindu University (IMS-BHU) in Varanasi, is a government teaching hospital established in 1926. With over 1,500 beds, it functions as the principal tertiary referral centre for patients from eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand. The hospital spans three medical systems — Modern Medicine, Dental Sciences, and Ayurveda — with more than 45 departments in total.

Patients visiting for the first time often find the sheer scale of the campus daunting. This guide explains, step by step, how to register for OPD, what to carry, how long the process takes, what the consultation costs, and which government schemes can significantly reduce the financial burden of treatment.

Registration and OPD fees at Sir Sunderlal Hospital BHU

Fees above are drawn from the official bhuopd.com portal and third-party summaries current as of 2026. Government hospital fee schedules can be revised; always confirm the current amount at the registration counter or on the official portal before your visit.

• OPD registration fee (new patient, online booking) — Rs 30 per visit
• Follow-up consultation — Nominal or free — confirm at the department counter on the day of visit
• Emergency department — Available 24 hours; fee structure differs from scheduled OPD — confirm at the emergency registration counter
• Investigations, medicines, procedures — Heavily subsidised as a government hospital; costs vary by department and patient eligibility under applicable schemes

Government schemes that help cover treatment

• Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY — Sir Sunderlal Hospital is empanelled under PM-JAY. Eligible families (annual income below the scheme threshold, listed on the PM-JAY beneficiary database) receive cashless treatment up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year. Carry your Ayushman card or verify eligibility at the PM-JAY help desk inside the hospital.
• Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) — The hospital was upgraded under PMSSY in 2018 to AIIMS-equivalent infrastructure standards — this is an infrastructure programme, not a patient-facing insurance scheme, but it underpins the range of super-specialty services available at government rates.
• BPL / free treatment provisions — Government hospitals in Uttar Pradesh extend fee waivers and subsidised medicines to Below Poverty Line (BPL) patients. Carry your BPL ration card or Antyodaya card; confirm the current waiver process with the hospital's social welfare desk on arrival.
• CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme) — CGHS covers central government employees and pensioners for treatment at empanelled government hospitals. Confirm current CGHS empanelment status for Sir Sunderlal Hospital directly with the hospital's medical officer or the CGHS Varanasi office before your visit, as empanelment status can change.

Rates shown are as per the Sir Sunderlal Hospital, IMS-BHU — Official OPD Portal (2026) and are subject to periodic revision. Always verify the latest approved rates on the official source.

How to get an appointment at Sir Sunderlal Hospital BHU

The hospital operates its own online OPD booking portal at bhuopd.com. This is the primary route for scheduled consultations and avoids the long queues that form at the physical registration counters, particularly early in the morning. Walk-in registration at the counter is also available on the same day, but slots fill quickly — arriving by 8:00 AM is strongly advisable if you plan to register in person.

To book online: visit bhuopd.com and select 'Public Hospital OPD Visit.' Complete the CAPTCHA, then choose your medical system — Modern Medicine, Dental Sciences, or Ayurveda. Select the specific department, pick an available slot, enter the patient's name, contact number, age, gender, and Aadhaar details, then pay the Rs 30 registration fee via UPI, debit/credit card, or net banking. You will receive a confirmation slip; print it or save it on your phone and carry it to the hospital on the appointment date.

Documents to bring: a valid government-issued photo ID (Aadhaar card is the most commonly accepted), the appointment confirmation slip, and any previous test reports or prescriptions relevant to your condition. PM-JAY beneficiaries should carry their Ayushman card; BPL patients should carry their ration card.

For technical difficulties with the online portal, contact support@bhuopd.com. For hospital and doctor-related queries, contact opdbhu@gmail.com or the hospital reception at 0542-2368547.

How long it takes to get seen

OPD consultation runs Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The online registration counter (and OPD token issue at the hospital) runs from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Arriving after 10:00 AM on busy days risks the day's tokens being exhausted for popular departments.

As one of the most attended hospitals in eastern Uttar Pradesh, patient volumes are high. After collecting your token or arriving with a confirmed online appointment, expect to wait at the department before the consulting doctor sees you — the actual wait varies significantly by department, day of the week, and time of arrival. Patients attending early in the morning on weekdays typically wait less than those arriving mid-morning. Certain high-demand specialties such as Cardiology, Neurology, and Oncology tend to have longer waits. Building in a full morning for the visit is a practical approach for first-time patients.

Follow-up visits (return appointments) are generally faster once you have a case record at the hospital.

What treatment costs and financial help

Sir Sunderlal Hospital is a government hospital where OPD consultation, basic investigations, and many medicines are available at heavily subsidised rates. The registration fee is nominal (Rs 30 for online booking). Inpatient and surgical procedures follow government-approved rate schedules rather than market rates.

Patients enrolled under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY can access cashless treatment for the listed procedures up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year. The hospital has a PM-JAY help desk where beneficiaries can verify their eligibility and initiate the cashless process. The hospital is reported to follow PM-JAY guidelines and does not charge beneficiaries out-of-pocket for covered procedures.

BPL patients should approach the hospital's social welfare desk with their BPL documentation; fee waivers and subsidised medicine provisions exist but must be claimed at the counter. Central government employees covered under CGHS should verify the hospital's current empanelment status directly with the hospital administration or the CGHS Varanasi office before committing to treatment under that scheme.

Choosing the right department

The hospital is divided into three medical systems. Modern Medicine houses the broadest range of specialties, including General Medicine, Cardiology, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, General Surgery, Surgical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Pediatrics, Pediatric Surgery, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Urology, Nephrology, Dermatology, Psychiatry, ENT, Ophthalmology, Pulmonology (Chest and TB), and a 24-hour Trauma Centre. A dedicated Geriatric Clinic and Adolescent Clinic also operate within the Modern Medicine stream.

Dental Sciences handles oral health and maxillofacial conditions across four departments. The Ayurveda faculty, with eleven departments, offers classical Ayurvedic consultations and treatment — this is a less commonly known option that tends to have shorter wait times for non-emergency conditions.

If you are unsure which department to attend, arrive at the General Medicine or General Surgery OPD (depending on whether your concern is medical or surgical). The attending doctor will refer you onward to a specialist if needed. The hospital campus is large; ask at the main reception or follow the directional signboards to locate the correct OPD block.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I walk in without a prior appointment?

Yes. Walk-in registration is available at the OPD counter from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Monday to Saturday. However, token numbers for popular departments fill up early. Arriving by or before 8:00 AM gives you a much better chance of being seen the same day. The online portal at bhuopd.com is the more reliable route, as you can check slot availability in advance and pay the Rs 30 fee from home.

I have an Ayushman Bharat card — what do I do at the hospital?

Carry your Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) card and a valid photo ID. At the hospital, locate the PM-JAY help desk (ask at the main reception for its current location). The desk will verify your eligibility against the national beneficiary database and guide you through the cashless admission or OPD process. The hospital is empanelled under PM-JAY and covers eligible procedures up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year at no out-of-pocket cost to the beneficiary.

What if I need emergency care outside OPD hours?

The Trauma Centre and Emergency Department at Sir Sunderlal Hospital operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You do not need a prior OPD appointment for emergency care. For emergencies, go directly to the casualty/emergency entrance. The hospital handles a high volume of trauma and critical cases from across the region.

Is the hospital open on Sundays and public holidays?

Scheduled OPD operates Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. OPD is generally not available on Sundays or gazetted public holidays. Emergency services continue on all days. Confirm any changes to the schedule on the bhuopd.com portal or by calling the hospital at 0542-2368547 before travelling.

Which documents must I carry for OPD registration?

A valid government-issued photo ID — Aadhaar card is widely accepted — and the appointment confirmation slip if you booked online. Also bring any relevant previous test reports, imaging (X-rays, MRI scans), discharge summaries, or prescription slips from prior visits, as they help the doctor assess your condition without ordering repeat tests. PM-JAY beneficiaries should carry their Ayushman card; BPL patients should carry their ration card.

Related

• How to find an Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) hospital near you
• Government health schemes in India: a guide
• King George Medical University appointment and OPD guide
• RML Institute of Medical Sciences Lucknow appointment and OPD guide

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.