Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission has introduced Health IDs, a convenient tool for doctors that will simplify the process of recording the medical history of patients, leading to effective medical treatment outputs for patients and structured patient management for doctors.

In what ways will this mission alter India's healthcare system?

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission was inaugurated on 23rd September by the honourable Prime Minister of India in order to give individuals a 'digital health ID' that contains their medical data. National Health Authority (NHA) is commemorating the third anniversary of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana at the same time that the digital Health ID is being rolled out countrywide (AB PM-JAY).

The National Digital Health Mission (NDHM), which was originally started on a trial basis across six states and Union territories on August 15th, 2020, has so far generated over one lakh unique Health IDs.

What you need to know about digital health identification

1. As a result of the Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile (JAM) trinity and other government digital initiatives, PM-DHM will create a seamless online platform by providing an extensive range of data and information services, as well as infrastructure services based on open and interoperable standards, while safeguarding health-related personal data security, confidentiality, and privacy. As with the Unified Payments Interface, this mission's goal is to make the digital health ecosystem more interoperable.
2. Every person will have a 14-digit Health ID, which will serve as their health account as well as an individual identifying number for purposes of PM-DHM. The national Health ID will serve as a central location for all of a person's health-related data. With the health ID, people will be able to access and share their own longitudinal health data.
3. Every test, illness, doctor visit, a medication used, and diagnosis will be documented in this health journal.
4. If the patient moves to a different location or sees a new doctor, this information will be invaluable since it is portable and readily accessible. Basic personal information, such as name, address, and phone number, is used to generate the Health ID. A smartphone application, a Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR), and Healthcare Facilities Registries all make it possible to connect and see individual patient health data (HFR).
5. In accordance with the NDHM, health identification is free and optional. Using health data for planning, budgeting, and implementation, the federal government says it will save money for states and health programmes. Healthcare facilities will be only a click away for the general public.

Disclaimer- The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author's and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of M3 India.

The author is a practising super specialist from New Delhi.