Imagine a world where healthcare is accessible to all, regardless of their financial status. A world where you can visit a doctor without worrying about the cost, where you can access quality medical care without breaking the bank. This is the vision behind Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, a flagship initiative of the Government of India.
Ayushman Bharat is a comprehensive health insurance scheme that aims to provide financial protection to millions of Indian families. It covers a wide range of medical treatments, from minor illnesses to major surgeries. By removing financial barriers to healthcare, Ayushman Bharat empowers people to seek timely medical attention, leading to better health outcomes. This article will guide you on the components of ABDM and how to get your health ID, also known as an ABHA number.
What is the Objective of ABDM?
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission aims to transform the healthcare landscape through digital technologies. It’s designed to provide accessible and affordable healthcare services to all citizens, especially those in rural and underserved areas.
As a part of the Ayushman Bharat National Health Protection Scheme, ABDM aims to create a seamless and integrated digital health ecosystem that complements the financial protection offered by the insurance scheme.
Let’s have a look at the various objectives of ABDM:
- Developing advanced digital health systems and infrastructure to manage and share health data.
- Creating centralized registries for healthcare facilities, professionals, medications, and pharmacies.
- Adopting standardized formats for digital health data and encouraging the development of advanced health applications.
- Enabling individuals to create personal health records and securely share their health information with healthcare providers.
- Promoting the use of tools that help healthcare professionals make informed decisions.
- Using health data analytics to improve healthcare management and research.
- Encouraging public and private sector collaboration in the ABDM initiative.
- Ensuring nationwide access to health services, regardless of location.
- Improving the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare governance at all levels.
- Upgrading existing health information systems to meet standards and integrate with ABDM.
What are the Components of the ABDM Framework?
Health ID
The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) encourages individuals to create a unique health ID, known as the Universal Health ID (UHID). Also known as ABHA ID, this ID helps identify individuals across different healthcare providers. To create a UHID, basic personal information like name, address, and contact details is collected. Once created, the UHID can be used to securely share health records with various healthcare providers, with the individual’s consent.
Health Facility Registry (HFR)
The Health Facility Registry (HFR) is a database of all healthcare facilities in India, including public and private hospitals, clinics, labs, and pharmacies. Being a part of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, it helps patients find and access healthcare services. The HFR ensures that each facility has a unique identifier and provides standardized information, making it a reliable source of data for other healthcare systems.
Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR)
The Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR) is a centralized database of verified healthcare professionals in India. As a part of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, it aims to connect patients with qualified healthcare providers. Patients can use the HPR to find doctors and nurses, while healthcare professionals can use it to build their network. The HPR ensures data privacy and security, allowing users to control their information and make informed decisions about their healthcare.
Personal Health Record (PHR)
A personal health record (PHR) is an electronic record of an individual’s health information, managed and controlled by the individual themselves. This record can include a variety of health data, such as medical history, lab results, and treatment details from different healthcare providers. The PHR allows individuals to have a comprehensive view of their health information and share it securely with healthcare providers as needed.
Electronic Medical Records (EMR)
An EMR solution is a digital version of a patient’s medical records. It stores information like medical history, diagnoses, and treatment plans. Healthcare providers, such as doctors and nurses, use Electronic Medical Records to manage patient care within a specific healthcare facility.
Further, the ABDM EMR solution provides a framework for healthcare providers to digitize patient records and enable seamless sharing of health information across different healthcare settings. By following this model, healthcare providers can integrate their existing systems with the ABDM ecosystem, allowing for a more coordinated and patient-centered approach to healthcare.
Benefits of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
- Secure access to medical records: Patients can securely store and access their medical records. They can share this information with healthcare providers through the PHR app to ensure better care and follow-up. With the facilities such as HFR and HPR, patients will also have easier access to information about private and public healthcare facilities and services. Additionally, they can avail of remote healthcare services like teleconsultations and online pharmacies.
- Better access to patient’s medical histories: With electronic medical records, doctors can easily store and manage their patient’s medical histories. They can further access it anywhere with a single click. EMR software also manages digital prescriptions that reduce medical errors, further enhancing the quality of care.
- Better decision-making: The ABDM will provide policymakers with better access to data, enabling them to make informed decisions. By analyzing data at both a national and local level, policymakers can identify trends, track health outcomes, and design effective health programs. Additionally, this data can be used to develop preventive healthcare strategies and implement evidence-based policies.
- Improved coordination between healthcare providers: Sharing of health records facilitates better collaboration among doctors, ensuring continuous and coordinated care, especially for patients consulting multiple specialists.
- Digital Health Incentive Scheme: The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) has made significant progress in digitizing health records, but there’s still potential for further growth. To encourage more people to adopt digital health, the National Health Authority (NHA) has introduced the Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS). This scheme rewards healthcare providers for digitizing patient records.
Doctors can earn up to ₹4 crores by participating in DHIS and contributing to the digitization of healthcare. Additionally, DHIS encourages software developers to create affordable digital health solutions like HMIS and LMIS to further the adoption of digital health.
How to Get an ABDM card?
Step 1. Visit the official website: Go to the official ABHA website.
Step 2: Choose Identification: Select either your Aadhaar card or driver’s license as identification
Step 3: Enter Details: Provide your Aadhaar or license number and agree to the terms and conditions.
Step 4: Verify Your Identity: Enter the one-time password (OTP) sent to your registered mobile number.
Step 5: Create ABHA ID: Once verified, your ABHA ID will be created.
Take Charge of Your Health with ABDM
The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) is revolutionizing healthcare in India. Here’s how you can be a part of it:
- Get your ABHA ID: This unique ID puts you in control of your health information. Register online at https://abdm.gov.in/ or visit your nearest health facility. With an ABHA ID, you can securely access your medical records, empowering you to make informed decisions about your health and actively participate in your healthcare journey.
- Support e-Sanjeevani telemedicine: Encourage your local healthcare providers to adopt e-Sanjeevani consultations. This service provides remote access to specialists, especially for those in rural areas. By advocating for e-Sanjeevani, you can significantly improve access to quality healthcare.
- Spread awareness, address concerns: There may be questions about data privacy. Share credible information about ABDM’s robust security protocols to address these concerns. Talk to friends and family about the benefits of getting an ABHA ID and how e-Sanjeevani consultations work. By spreading awareness, you can contribute to the widespread adoption of these transformative healthcare solutions.
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission: A Game Changer for Indian Healthcare
The ABDM holds immense potential to improve healthcare access and quality across India. Here’s how:
- Patient Empowerment: ABHA IDs give patients control over their health data, allowing them to make informed choices.
- Improved Communication: Telemedicine consultations through e-Sanjeevani facilitate better interaction between patients and healthcare providers.
- Enhanced Data Management: ABDM promotes efficient data management within the healthcare system.
Challenges and the Way Forward
For ABDM to reach its full potential, challenges like ensuring comprehensive adoption and maintaining robust data privacy protocols need to be addressed. As ABDM continues to evolve, it has the power to bridge the healthcare access gap and deliver quality care to all Indians.
By taking these steps and supporting the initiative, you can play a vital role in shaping the future of healthcare in India. Let’s embrace the change and work towards a healthier tomorrow for all.
See Also: India’s Unified Health Interface: Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
