Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting to review the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) that suggested that a Unified Health Interface (UHI) should "soon be rolled out."
Chairing the meet, the Prime Minister said that the mission will bring ease of living for citizens as they can avail a large number of health services via it. The meeting expected that the UHI would be soon rolled out.
"It will allow users to search, book and avail necessary healthcare services such as tele-consultations or laboratory tests. The system will ensure that only verified healthcare providers join the ecosystem", a statement from the Prime Minister's Office said.
This interface is likely to "unleash a digital health tech revolution with innovations and various services for citizens. In such a manner, healthcare infrastructure and human resources can also be utilised in a more efficient manner across the nation", the statement said.
On August 15, 2020, during his Independence Day address, Prime Minister had announced the launch of NDHM. Since then, the digital modules and registries have been developed and the mission has been rolled out in six Union Territories.
So far, nearly 11.9 lakh Health IDs have been generated and 3106 doctors and 1490 facilities have registered on the platform.
The meeting also discussed the concept of UPI e-Voucher developed by National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI).
This digital payment option will enable financial transactions linked to specific purposes which can be used only by the intended user. It can be useful for targeted and efficient delivery of various government schemes and an immediate use of UPI e-Voucher could be healthcare services.
Modi directed that steps be expedited to expand operations under the NDHM. He observed that though the technical platform and building up of registries are inevitable essential elements, the utility of the platform to the citizens will be visible only by way of enabling citizens across the country to avail of services like tele consultation with a Doctor, availing services of a lab, transferring test reports or health records digitally to the Doctor and paying digitally for any of the above services.