The electronic medical invoices applying blockchain technology was put into formal use in Zhanjiang on May 14.

The application of electronic medical invoices can realize the whole-process monitoring of medical data management and eliminate fake invoices, improve the work efficiency of staff members in hospitals, as well as reduce the costs of invoice binding and storage.

The electronic medical invoices can skip the printing of invoices for patients, saving their walking and waiting time by at least three to four minutes, said Yang Zhigang, director of Zhanjiang Central People's Hospital.

"In the past, I had to wait in line to get a bill of payment, get a list of drugs printed, and get an invoice issued in hospitals," said Ms Chen, the first person in Zhanjiang to get an electronic medical invoice. "In the peak hours of hospital visits, it would take me more than 10 minutes to queue up just to have an invoice printed."

An electronic invoice can be generated through the hospital's public WeChat account, avoiding the hassle of long queues, added Ms Chen.