Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) is a transformative healthcare initiative of the Government of India launched in 2021. Its primary goal is to create a seamless, interoperable digital health infrastructure for the country, empowering citizens with their health records and facilitating efficient healthcare delivery.
Key Features:
- Health ID: A unique 14-digit identification number assigned to every citizen, linking all their health records.
- Personal Health Records (PHRs): A secure online repository where citizens can store and access their medical history, test results, prescriptions, and other health-related information.
- Health Professionals Registry (HPR): A database of registered healthcare professionals, including their credentials, specializations, and contact information.
- Health Facility Registry (HFR): A directory of all public and private health facilities in the country, providing information on their services, availability, and contact details.
- e-Prescription and e-Health Records: A system that allows healthcare professionals to prescribe and access patient's health records digitally, reducing errors and improving efficiency.
- Telemedicine Platform: A secure online platform that connects patients with healthcare professionals remotely, enabling access to medical consultations and advice from anywhere.
- Consent Framework: A mechanism that empowers citizens to control who can access their health records and for what purpose, protecting their privacy.
Benefits:
- Improved Access to Healthcare: ABDM makes healthcare services more accessible, particularly in underserved areas.
- Patient Empowerment: Citizens have control over their health records and can make informed decisions based on them.
- Reduced Healthcare Costs: By eliminating duplicate testing and unnecessary procedures, ABDM reduces the overall cost of healthcare.
- Improved Health Outcomes: Easy access to health records and timely interventions can lead to better health outcomes.
- Equity and Inclusivity: ABDM ensures that all citizens, regardless of their socioeconomic status, have access to quality healthcare.
Implementation:
- Registration: Citizens can register for a Health ID through mobile apps, the ABDM website, or through health facilities.
- Integration: Healthcare facilities and healthcare professionals are encouraged to integrate their systems with ABDM to share and access health records.
- Awareness Campaigns: The government is conducting awareness campaigns to educate citizens and healthcare providers about ABDM and its benefits.
ABDM is a revolutionary step towards transforming India's healthcare system, aiming to make healthcare more accessible, affordable, and efficient for all citizens.