In News:

Over 67 crore Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA) have been created in the past three years under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). The digital healthcare mission marked its three-year anniversary.

Key Highlights:

• Launch Date: September 27, 2021.
• Vision: Establish a robust digital health infrastructure to enhance healthcare accessibility, efficiency, and transparency.
• Duration: A transformative three-year journey aimed at revolutionizing India’s digital healthcare ecosystem.

Objectives and Background

• Alignment with National Health Policy: The mission stems from the National Health Policy (2017), emphasizing accessibility and the integration of digital technologies.
• Building Blocks:
  • National Health Stack (2018) introduced unique health identifiers and verified registries.
  • National Digital Health Blueprint (2019) provided guidance for implementing ABDM.

Key Features of ABDM

• Unique Health Identifier (ABHA ID): Assigns a unique ID to every individual for managing health records.
• Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR): Comprehensive database of healthcare professionals across all systems of medicine.
• Health Facility Registries (HFR): Repository of public and private health facilities, including hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies.
• Health Information Exchange and Consent Manager (HIE-CM): Allows secure access and sharing of health records based on informed consent.
• Unified Health Interface (UHI): Facilitates the discovery and delivery of health services.
• National Health Claims Exchange (HCX): Standardizes the insurance payment process for quicker claims.
• Data Privacy and Security: Ensures confidentiality and security of health-related information in compliance with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
• Interoperability: Enables seamless data exchange among stakeholders, supported by key gateways (HIE-CM, NHCX, UHI).
• Transparency: Offers individuals access to both public and private health services, ensuring transparent pricing and accountability.

Key Initiatives

• Scan and Share: QR-code based OPD registration reduces wait times and improves data accuracy.
• Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS): Financial incentives to encourage participation in the ABDM ecosystem, launched on January 1, 2023.
• Microsites for Private Sector Adoption: Operationalized 106 microsites to facilitate ABDM adoption among private providers.
• End-to-End ABDM Adoption Pilot: Aimed at digitizing healthcare facilities across India, with 131 selected for participation.

Achievements

• Health Accounts Creation: Over 67 crore Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA) established, linking 42 crore health records.
• Ecosystem Participation: Involvement of 236 private entities and leading public institutions, enhancing interoperability.
• Healthcare Facility Registration: 3.3 lakh health facilities and 4.7 lakh healthcare professionals registered.

Moving Towards Transformation

• Collaborations: Partnerships with IIT Kanpur and Maharashtra University of Health Sciences to drive digital health education and public goods development.
• Training Initiatives: Introduction of a WhatsApp Chatbot for stakeholder training on digital health practices.
• Digital Health Standards: Launched by the National Accreditation Board of Hospitals to promote digital health technology adoption.
• Integration of eSwasthya Dham Portal: Extends ABDM benefits to Char Dham Yatris.

Vision for the Future

ABDM aims to create a seamless digital health ecosystem, ensuring every Indian citizen has access to their health records through a unique ABHA ID. The initiative includes:

• Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS): Aids healthcare professionals in improving clinical decision-making and patient outcomes.