Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission – Update (March, 2023)

March 3, 2023

A milestone has been achieved under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), as over 25 crore health records have been successfully linked to the Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts. This will help with the easy access and management of health records using any ABDM-enabled health apps.

What is ABHA?

The Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts consist of 14-digit numbers. The number is used to identify the persons and thread their health records across multiple stakeholders and systems.

What is the need to link health records with ABHA?

In November 2022, one of the biggest health data breaches occurred at AIIMS New Delhi. Data of millions of poor people and also data of high-profile bureaucrats and politicians were compromised. Also, there was a ransomware attack at Safdarjung hospital. The ransom attacks have increased by 51% during the COVID lockdown. India lags behind the personal data protection bill and is also a digital health ecosystem governing body. Therefore, it is essential to integrate health records under one common identity and keep them safe.

Why did GoI announce ABHA?

The health ID was provided after COVID. In 2020, after the COVID lockdown, no one knew when or where the vaccines are being administered. TV stations were closed. There was nothing the health ministry could do to contact the citizens. This is when the central government introduced ABHA.

What is Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission?

The ABDM was launched by the Indian Government in September 2021 to connect the digital health solutions of various hospitals with each other. It makes use of Ayushman Bharat Health Account or ABHA numbers. Its objective is to ensure ease of living and simplify hospital-related processes. It prevents the loss of medical records and increases the efficiency of healthcare services.

Way Forward

Many are still hesitant to get the ABHA. The Government of India should launch awareness campaigns to increase the number of health records that are linked with ABHA.

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