Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission is an initiative the Government of India took to provide better health care services to all its citizens. It aims to bring digital transformation to the healthcare sector, leveraging technology to enhance health services' access, quality, and efficiency. The mission has three pillars: Ayushman Bharat - Health and Wellness Centres; Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (PM-JAY); and Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Swasthya Suraksha Mission (PMRSSM).

Individuals can benefit from the mission by using the digital health services provided under the mission, such as telemedicine, e-pharmacy, and health analytics. These services will be made available through various digital platforms, and individuals can access them by registering with the respective service providers.

To use telemedicine services, individuals can download mobile apps or visit the websites of telemedicine service providers registered with the NHA. Similarly, to access e-pharmacy services, individuals can visit the websites or mobile apps of registered e-pharmacy providers.

It is important to note that the digital health ID or the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) ID is a prerequisite for accessing many digital health services under the ABDM.

Let's understand it in detail:

Introducing Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission

Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission is a flagship program of the Indian government aimed at providing digital health services to all citizens of India. The mission was launched on Independence Day 2021 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The mission aims to create a digital infrastructure for the healthcare system in India, which will enable the implementation of a range of digital health services, including electronic health records (EHRs), telemedicine services, and health analytics.

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission has the following key objectives:

• To establish a national digital health ecosystem to exchange health data seamlessly.
• To create a unique digital health ID for every Indian citizen that will serve as a single source of truth for all their health records.
• To provide citizens with a wide range of digital health services, including telemedicine, e-pharmacy, and health analytics.
• To promote the development of digital health solutions that can help improve the quality of healthcare delivery in India.
• To ensure the privacy and security of health data by implementing robust data protection regulations.

The Ayushman Bharat Digital card is being implemented by the National Health Authority (NHA) in collaboration with various stakeholders, including state governments, private sector organisations, and civil society organisations.

The mission is expected to transform the healthcare system in India by making it more accessible, affordable, and effective. It will also help address the healthcare challenges faced by the country, including the shortage of healthcare professionals and the lack of access to quality healthcare in rural areas.

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) is a comprehensive initiative to leverage digital technologies to transform the healthcare sector in India. Some of the key features of ABDM are:

• National Digital Health Ecosystem: ABDM aims to create a National Digital Health Ecosystem, enabling the seamless health data exchange between healthcare providers. This will promote better coordination of care and help prevent medical errors. It will also help reduce the burden on healthcare professionals and enable them to provide more efficient care.
• National Digital Health ID: ABDM will issue a unique National Digital Health ID to all citizens of India. This ID will serve as a single source of truth for all health records and enable individuals to access digital health services more efficiently.
• Telemedicine Services: ABDM will promote the use of telemedicine services, which will enable individuals to consult with doctors remotely using digital platforms. This will help increase access to healthcare for those living in remote or underserved areas.
• E-Pharmacy Services: ABDM will enable the delivery of medicines to individuals' homes through e-pharmacy services, reducing the need for individuals to visit pharmacies in person. These services will also help to reduce the cost of medicines.
• Health Analytics: ABDM aims to promote using health analytics to improve healthcare outcomes by enabling providers to make informed decisions. This will help them identify disease trends and gaps in care, resulting in better health outcomes.
• Electronic Health Records: ABDM aims to digitise health records to improve the efficiency of healthcare delivery and promote better coordination of care. This will enable healthcare providers to access patient information more quickly, reducing the risk of medical errors.
• Health Information Exchange: ABDM aims to create a national health information exchange, enabling seamless health data exchange between healthcare providers. This will help to ensure that all healthcare providers have access to the same data.
• Health Insurance: ABDM aims to enable the integration of health insurance with digital health services, promoting better financial protection for individuals. While the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) has the potential to bring significant benefits to the healthcare sector in India, there are also some potential disadvantages to consider, such as:

1. Digital divide: One of the main challenges of implementing ABDM is the digital divide, as not all individuals may have access to the digital technologies needed to benefit from the services offered under ABDM.
2. Privacy concerns: Digitising health records and sharing them through a national health information exchange may raise privacy concerns among individuals, especially regarding data security and confidentiality.
3. Dependence on technology: The heavy reliance on digital technologies under ABDM may lead to a decreased emphasis on in-person consultations and physical examinations, which may only sometimes be sufficient for a complete diagnosis.
4. Training and infrastructure costs: Implementing ABDM will require significant investments in training healthcare providers and building the necessary infrastructure for digital health services, which may be challenging for resource-constrained healthcare systems.
5. Access to healthcare for marginalised communities: While ABDM aims to make healthcare services more accessible, there may still be challenges in reaching marginalised communities, including those in remote areas or with limited access to digital technologies.

Benefits of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission

The Ayushman Bharat Digital health id card has several benefits that can transform the healthcare system in India. Some of the benefits of Ayushman Bharat include:

• Improved access to healthcare: The mission aims to make healthcare services more accessible to all citizens, including those living in remote areas. By enabling telemedicine and e-pharmacy services, people can access healthcare services from the comfort of their homes. ABDM also aims to provide health insurance to all Indians.
• Enhanced quality of care: The mission can help healthcare providers make informed decisions and provide better patient care by digitising health records and promoting health analytics.
• Increased efficiency: Digital health services such as telemedicine can help reduce the burden on healthcare infrastructure, making healthcare delivery more efficient and cost-effective.
• Better coordination of care: The mission aims to create a national digital health ecosystem, enabling seamless health data exchange between healthcare providers. This will promote better coordination of care and help prevent medical errors.
• Improved patient outcomes: By promoting digital health solutions and analytics, the mission can help healthcare providers identify and manage health risks early, leading to improved patient outcomes.
• Reduced healthcare costs: By improving the efficiency of healthcare delivery and promoting preventive care, the mission can help reduce healthcare costs for individuals and the government.
• Increased transparency:The mission aims to create a single source of truth for health data, promoting transparency and accountability in the healthcare system. This will help ensure patients receive the proper care and support at the right time.

Overall, the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission card has the potential to transform India's healthcare system and improve millions of citizens' health outcomes. These are major benefits of health id card, and if you want to avail of the Ayushman card benefits, you must register yourself to creating ABHA (Health ID) Card.

How to register and Apply for ABHA Card

Here is the step-by-step process to register and apply for ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) Card:

1. Visit the official website of Eka Care - ABDM.

2. Click on the “Create ABHA” icon to apply and follow the process of ABHA registration.

3. Enter your basic details, such as name, date of birth, address, and contact information, in the form that appears on the screen.

4. Read the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, then check the box to agree with them.

5. Click on “Register” to submit the form.

6. You will be asked to verify your mobile number by entering an OTP.

7. Link your bank account to your ABHA account.

8. Submit your application for approval.

9. Once approved, you will receive a confirmation of your application status via email or SMS.

10. Then log in to your ABHA account.

11. Get access to your health records, track your health status and other benefits ABHA offers.12. You can even click on the "Download ABHA Card" link and get the print of your ABHA Health Card.

Individuals can register for the Ayushman Bharat Digital Health ID and benefit by using the digital health services provided under the mission. You can go to the "Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission card apply online" portal and register yourself for ABHA card.

Conclusion

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) is a comprehensive initiative to leverage digital technologies to transform the healthcare sector in India. The Government of India launched the mission in February 2021 as part of the larger Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), which aims to provide financial protection and healthcare services to the underprivileged sections of society.

The mission can improve health outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and promote transparency in the healthcare system. Individuals can benefit from the mission by registering for the digital health ID and accessing the various services provided under the mission. They can register for the digital health ID by visiting the NDHM website or mobile app.

FAQ

What functions does ABDM serve?

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) will allow people to access both public and private health services, make it easier to follow established rules and procedures, ensure service pricing transparency, and hold providers of health services accountable.

What Happens on registering to ABHA?

All Indian citizens will receive a digital health ID number after Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) card registration. It will be special and contain their medical records. If a patient approves, healthcare providers nationwide will find it simpler to access their medical records. This will help doctors improve care, and the patient won't need to remember the details of earlier visits.

How does this health ID work?

With the citizen's permission, personal health records can be accessed by healthcare professionals and connected to the ID. This hABHA health card aims to provide access to a Healthcare Professionals Registry and a Healthcare Facilities Registry, which will serve as databases for all healthcare providers in modern and conventional medical systems.

How do I obtain my health ID?

The government's Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission webpage requires registration of your 14-digit ABHA health ID. A curious citizen can also download the ABHA app with a phone.

Do I need to get an Aadhaar?

The official website states that the health ID can be connected to an Aadhaar or cell number, but reports claim that only a phone number is necessary to create a unique health ID and that Aadhaar is not required.

How do I apply for an ABDM health card?

Bring your driver's licence to the closest ABDM participating facility to obtain the ABHA number and have the facility staff verify your identity. The PAN Card can be used to start the request for an ABHA number, but you will only get an Enrolment Number on the portal.

Is the entire system optional or required for Indian citizens?

Although it's optional, several roll-out components have already generated controversy. For instance, it has been observed in numerous media reports that individuals who registered for the COVID-19 immunisation program using their Aadhar number had their UHIDs produced without their express consent or the chance to decline.