ABDM: Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission

What is Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission?

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission is a government health initiative that aims to standardise healthcare facilities across India with a citizen-centric approach. Launched on September 27, 2021, it focuses on building a strong digital health infrastructure that bridges the gap between various stakeholders in the healthcare system, including patients, hospitals, medical professionals and policymakers.

As part of ABDM, all Indian citizens are issued with a unique digital health ID or Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) along with digital health lockers that can store their medical records digitally. This enables people to easily access, manage and share their personal health records with multiple medical professionals and healthcare providers anytime, anywhere.

The primary goal of ABDM is to achieve universal health coverage with the help of the digital ecosystem, making medicare more efficient, accessible, inclusive, affordable, timely, and safe. Moreover, this Ayushman digital health mission emphasises on using open and compatible digital technologies to maintain the privacy and security of personal health information of the citizens.

Objectives of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission

The key objectives of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission are as follows:

• To create a top-notch digital health system to manage and share health data seamlessly.
• To facilitate effective steps to maintain high-quality healthcare services.
• To ensure all digital health stakeholders use open standards to maintain transparency.
• To set up registries to provide a single and trustworthy source of information about healthcare facilities, professionals, medications, and pharmacies.
• To strengthen existing health information systems by making sure they align with defined standards and integrating them with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.
• To create a system to store personal health records that are easy for people and healthcare providers to access, based on consent.
• To ensure that people can access health services anywhere in the country.
• To follow the best principles of cooperative federalism to reach the set goals while working with states and union territories.
• To encourage private healthcare institutions and professionals to work closely with public health authorities for the successful implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.
• To boost the efficiency and effectiveness of governance in healthcare at all levels.
• To improve health sector management through the effective use of medical research and health data analytics.
• To encourage healthcare practitioners and professionals to use Clinical Decision Support (CDS) systems.
• To support the development of enterprise-class health applications that help achieve sustainable development health goals.

Critical Components of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission

To make healthcare more efficient and accessible to millions of Indian citizens, the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission consists of the following components:

1. Personal Health Record (PHR)

   A Personal Health Record or PHR is an electronic collection of a person's health information that meets national standards for sharing and managing data. It allows people to manage their health information, including medical history, lab results, and treatment details from various healthcare providers. Unlike Electronic Medical Records (EMR) or Electronic Health Records (EHR), the PHR is controlled by the individual, giving them complete ownership over their health data. People can access and manage their personal health records using the ABHA mobile application.

2. Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR)

   The Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR) is a complete database of all healthcare professionals engaged in providing medical services through modern and traditional medicine. By signing up for the HPR, healthcare professionals can connect with India's digital health system.

3. ABHA Number

   ABHA Number is the digital health ID issued to all Indian citizens under ABDM to ensure a standardised identification process. The ABHA number ensures that medical records are accurately linked to the right person by uniquely identifying people, verifying their identity, and connecting their health records across different systems with their consent.

4. Health Facility Registry (HFR)

   The Health Facility Registry (HFR) is a detailed directory of modern and traditional healthcare facilities across India, including public and private clinical establishments such as hospitals, clinics, labs, imaging centres, and pharmacies. It helps people find verified healthcare providers and book appointments online.

5. Unified Health Interface (UHI)

   The Unified Health Interface (UHI) is designed to provide an open network for accessing various digital health services. The UHI network will provide a common platform for apps used by patients and healthcare providers. This will allow people to book appointments, have teleconsultations, and find medicare services more easily.

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Advantages of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission

Check out some of the main advantages of the Ayushman Bharat digital health mission:

1. Easy Access to Medical Records

   ABDM allows patients to securely access their medical records from anywhere. It enables them to share important documents, like prescriptions and test results, with healthcare providers without any hassle. This is particularly crucial in emergencies where instant access to medical records might save lives.

2. Privacy and Security Measures

   Ayushman digital mission employs strict security measures, including encryption and consent-based access, to ensure that the patient's information remains confidential. Moreover, patients are kept informed about how their data is used, ensuring transparency and trust.

3. Hassle-Free Appointment Scheduling

   People can use ABDM to find nearby doctors and medical facilities quickly. The integrated online booking system makes scheduling and paying for appointments easy, saving time and reducing the stress of managing healthcare needs.

4. Better Coordination Among Healthcare Providers

   The Ayushman Bharat health mission improves coordination among health professionals by allowing them to access shared health records. This ensures that patients who see multiple specialists receive consistent and coordinated care, reducing the risk of errors and improving treatment outcomes.

5. Data-Driven Health Insights

   With the help of ABDM, anonymised health data can be gathered and utilised to examine changes in the health of the entire population. By using this data, healthcare organisations can allocate resources more efficiently and create treatments specifically focused on improving community health outcomes.

6. Freedom of Choice

   Ayushman Digital health mission gives people the freedom to choose between public and private healthcare services. It also helps to ensure that healthcare providers follow established guidelines and maintain transparency in pricing of services.

7. Access to Accurate Information

   With ABDM, patients gain access to accurate information about healthcare facilities and providers, allowing them to make informed choices. This empowerment can lead to better healthcare experiences and increased accountability of healthcare professionals.

8. Remote Healthcare Access

   Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission facilitates remote healthcare services, including e-pharmacy options and teleconsultation. These are particularly beneficial for those in remote areas or those with mobility issues.

9. Streamlined Claim Process

   The Ayushman digital mission enables faster reimbursements by digitising the health insurance claim process. It will enhance the overall efficiency of medicare service delivery.

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