After successful implementation of the National Digital Health Mission in a pilot mode in six Union Territories, the Government is now all set to roll out the digital initiative envisaging HealthID, DigiDoctor, Health Facility Registry, eHospital, Patient and eHealth Records across the country.
This was stated by Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan after he took stock of the implementation of the flagship health protection mission, Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana(AB PM-JAY) and National Digital Health Mission (NDHM).
“The NDHM will digitalize healthcare by creating a country-wide digital health ecosystem that will enable patients to store, access and consent to share their health records with doctors and health facilities of their choice,” said the Minister. The six union territories where the mission was rolled out through a pilot launch are Chandigarh, Ladakh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
Dr Harsh Vardhan said that one of the most remarkable aspects of NDHM is that it takes into account the lived realities of Indians spread across the digital divide. “The NDHM will empower millions of citizens without smartphones or those in remote tribal areas facing connectivity issues to still avail healthcare through its offline modules.”
The ambitious NDHM was unveiled by PrimeMinister Narendra Modi on August 15 under which every Indian will get a health ID that will ease access to medical services. The National Health Authority (NHA), the apex agency responsible for the implementation of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (ABPMJAY), has been given the mandate by the government to design, build, roll-out and implement the NDHM in the country.
The health ID will contain information about medical data, prescriptions and diagnostic reports and summaries of previous discharge from hospitals for ailments. The mission is expected to bring efficiency and transparency in healthcare services in the country.