Union government on Monday approved the national roll-out of the much-awaited Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) with a budgetary outlay of Rs.1,600 crore for five years.
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission is a Central Sector Scheme under which Indian citizens will be able to create their unique Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) numbers, to which their digital health records can be linked.
This will enable the creation of longitudinal health records for individuals across various healthcare providers, and improve clinical decision-making by healthcare providers.
The mission will improve equitable access to quality healthcare by encouraging the use of technologies such as telemedicine and enabling national portability of health services.
Not only will ABDM facilitate evidence-based decision-making for effective public health interventions, but it will also catalyze innovation and generate employment across the healthcare ecosystem.
Implementing Authority of ABDM
The National Health Authority (NHA) will be the implementing agency of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). It will work under the overall supervision of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
Based on the foundations laid down in the form of Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and Mobile (JAM) trinity and other digital initiatives of the government, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) will create a seamless online platform through the provision of a wide range of data, information, and infrastructure services.
It will duly leverage the open, interoperable, standards-based digital systems while ensuring the security, confidentiality, and privacy of health-related personal information.
Importance of Digital Health Solutions
Digital health solutions across the healthcare ecosystem have proven to be of immense benefit over the years, with initiatives like COWIN, Arogya Setu, and eSanjeevani.
They demonstrate the quintessential role technology can play in enabling access to healthcare. However, there is a need to integrate such solutions for a continuum of care, and effective utilization of resources.
The trial of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission was completed in the six Union Territories of Ladakh, Chandigarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and Daman & Diu, Puducherry, Andaman, and the Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep with successful demonstration of technology platform developed by the NHA.
During the pilot, a digital sandbox was created in which more than 774 partner solutions are undergoing integration.
As of 24th February 2022, 17,33,69,087 Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts have been created and 10,114 doctors and 17,319 health facilities have been registered in ABDM.
