The government has decided to start online registration of patients at Indira Gandhi Institute of Cardiology (IGIC) as part of measures to provide people better facilities.

Divisional commissioner Anand Kishor, who is also the chairman of IGIC's patient welfare committee, chaired a meeting on Monday in which the decisions were taken.

"Directives have been issued to the IGIC director to start online registration of patients from July," Kishor said after the meeting. "The hospital also needs to create a website by the end of June."

The website would allow patients to register for appointments and book consultations with doctors.

IGIC director Dr Harendra Kumar, who was present in the meeting, said: "Work is on to start the online registration process from July." He, however, did not specify anything on opening the website. "I cannot say much on this at this stage," he said.

The decision to increase the number of sanitation employees from 30 to 50 was also taken at the meeting. A three-member committee will inspect if hygiene is maintained at the hospital twice a month.

For round-the-clock water availability at IGIC, Kishor said the public health engineering department will construct a new borewell. Besides, the hospital will install RO water purifiers on each of the four floors.

Branded food items - edible oils and spices - will be used to prepare meals for the patients, Kishor added.

To ensure the measures decided on are implemented properly, the IGIC director has been directed to hold meetings of the welfare committee every three months.