Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission

Overview
The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) received Union Cabinet approval for nationwide implementation with a budgetary allocation of ₹1,600 crore for five years. Launched in September 2021, it is a significant step toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as envisioned in the National Health Policy 2017.

1. Health ID:
   • A unique digital health ID will be created for every citizen.
   • It will serve as a repository for all health records, including tests, diagnoses, medications, and doctor consultations.
   • Free and voluntary, the Health ID aims to enhance planning, budgeting, and implementation of health programs.
2. Healthcare Facilities & Professionals Registry (HFR & HPR):
   • HFR: A digital database of healthcare facilities nationwide.
   • HPR: A repository of healthcare professionals, covering modern and traditional medicine systems, ensuring electronic access to their credentials and services.
3. Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission Sandbox:
   • A framework for testing technology and products.
   • Facilitates integration of private players into the national digital health ecosystem as Health Information Providers (HIP) or Users (HIU).

1. For Citizens:
   • Access and portability of health services across India.
   • Facilitation of telemedicine services.
2. For Healthcare Providers:
   • Simplifies record-keeping for doctors and hospitals.
   • Streamlines data access for efficient healthcare delivery.
3. Digital Integration:
   • The mission will act as a unified health interface, similar to how UPI revolutionized payments.
   • Enables consent-based exchange of longitudinal health records.
4. Improved Healthcare:
   • Encourages equitable access to quality healthcare services.
   • Promotes better use of healthcare technologies and data for decision-making.

1. Data Protection Risks:
   • Absence of a Data Protection Bill raises concerns about potential misuse of sensitive health data.
2. Exclusion Risks:
   • Systemic faults could lead to denial of healthcare or exclusion of citizens.
3. Implementation Challenges:
   • Uniform adoption across states with varying healthcare systems and regulations.
   • Learning from global examples like the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) is essential to avoid similar pitfalls.

• Health as a Right:
  Recognize health as a justiciable right, as proposed in the draft National Health Policy 2015.
• Address Technical Challenges:
  Learn from previous failures like the NHS and address technical deficiencies in advance.
• Standardization and Synchronization:
  Develop a uniform digital health architecture while aligning with schemes like Ayushman Bharat Yojana, NIKSHAY, and Reproductive Child Healthcare.
• Strengthen Data Protection:
  Expedite the passage of the Data Protection Bill to safeguard citizen data and build trust in the system.