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The Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, has unveiled a mobile application and electronic card system aimed at reducing patient waiting time and improving healthcare service delivery.
The hospital’s Public Relations Officer, Usman Abdullahi Koli, said the innovation, known as the DHS Mobile App and DHS SmartQueue System, is designed to provide digital healthcare solutions that will streamline patient flow and enhance access to medical services.
According to him, the SmartQueue System introduces a structured and transparent queuing process that allows patients to obtain electronic queue tickets and receive services in an orderly manner.
He noted that the system is expected to ease congestion in waiting areas, improve clinic operations, boost patient satisfaction, and provide real-time data for monitoring service delivery and decision-making.
Koli said the solutions were recently demonstrated and piloted at the Family Medicine Department’s General Outpatient Unit (GOPU) during a technical presentation attended by hospital management and staff.
Speaking on the development, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Professor Yusuf Bara Jibrin, described the initiative as a significant milestone in ATBUTH’s digital transformation drive and a demonstration of its commitment to delivering efficient, patient-centred healthcare services.
He explained that the pilot phase at the General Outpatient Department would enable the hospital to assess the effectiveness of the system before extending it to other departments and service points.
Jibrin disclosed that the DHS Mobile App is currently available on the Google Play Store and will soon be launched on the Apple App Store.
He said the platform enables patients to book appointments, access healthcare services and make payments remotely, particularly for amenity services.
“The app is presently in its pilot phase and requires a DHS e-Card for access. Patients are advised to visit the hospital for registration and additional information,” he said.
The CMD further revealed that telemedicine services are being integrated into the platform and will soon become operational, allowing patients to consult healthcare professionals remotely and improving access to specialist care.
He said the introduction of the DHS Mobile App and SmartQueue System aligns with the hospital’s vision of leveraging technology to improve healthcare accessibility, efficiency, accountability and overall patient experience.
Explaining the e-Card system, the hospital stated that the DHS e-Card is an upgraded version of the traditional patient card issued during registration.
While newly registered patients automatically receive the card, those registered before the implementation of the DHS Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system on November 22, 2024, are required to renew their registration and obtain the new card to access the full benefits of the digital platform.
The hospital also noted that whilst the mobile application is expected to significantly reduce waiting time by enabling electronic appointment booking and payments, queues at clinics and other service points may still persist temporarily as the system is gradually integrated into routine operations.
