In a remarkable step toward sustainable healthcare, KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital & Medical Research Centre in Belagavi, Karnataka, has fully transitioned to a paperless system, becoming one of the first major hospitals in India to do so. This digital transformation is estimated to save over 1,500 trees annually, reducing the hospital’s environmental footprint significantly.
A Major Leap in Hospital Digitization
The hospital’s shift to an end-to-end digital documentation system covers:
- Patient records
- Billing and prescriptions
- Lab reports and radiology images
- Discharge summaries
- Appointment scheduling and follow-ups
The initiative eliminates the use of approximately 60 lakh (6 million) sheets of paper every year.
Dr. M.V. Jali, Medical Director of KLES Hospital, emphasized that going paperless not only enhances operational efficiency and patient safety but also aligns with global environmental goals.
“Digitization ensures faster access to patient history and streamlines coordination among departments while significantly reducing our carbon footprint,” said Dr. Jali.
Environmental and Operational Impact
The hospital’s paperless initiative results in:
- Saving over 1,500 trees per year
- Reduced storage and administrative costs
- Instant accessibility to medical records
- Enhanced accuracy and accountability in healthcare delivery
Setting a Benchmark for Indian Healthcare
As hospitals in India work toward smart healthcare systems, KLES Hospital’s model is expected to inspire similar digital upgrades across the nation—especially in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
This shift is aligned with the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM), which promotes the use of electronic health records and telehealth services across the country.
Source: Times of India – KLES Hospital in Belagavi Goes Paperless, Saves 1.5K Trees Annually
