Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)

Know everything about ABDM, its features, and who can benefit from the scheme.
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30-July-2023

Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) is an important initiative launched by the Government of India under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme. It facilitates digital health records of citizens in India. The ABDM aims to provide a comprehensive digital health infrastructure to every citizen of the country, making healthcare more affordable and accessible.

On September 27, 2021, the Prime Minister inaugurated the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) through a virtual meeting.

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission aims to link the digital health solutions of hospitals nationwide. This initiative not only simplifies hospital processes but also enhances the quality of life. The digital ecosystem will facilitate services such as virtual consultations and patient consent for healthcare practitioners to access their records. This scheme ensures the security of medical records, preventing the loss of old records, as everything will be stored digitally.

Here's an overview of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), its key features, benefits, and documents required to avail of the scheme.

What is Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)?

ABDM refers to the latest digital initiative under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme aimed at facilitating digital health records of Indian citizens. It creates a digital ecosystem, offering digital health solutions. The ABDM aims to make healthcare services affordable, accessible, and efficient to every citizen of the country. The mission undertakes various measures that support the digitalisation of healthcare services in India.

Key features of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission

Here’s a quick look at the key features of ABDM.

Features

Specifications

ABDM health ID

A unique ID for every citizen that contains their health records, lab reports, and prescriptions.

Electronic Medical Records (EMR)

Store all medical records in digitised format and you can access the information from anywhere in the country.

Teleconsultation

ABDM facilitates remote consultations with doctors using telemedicine technology.

Online pharmacy

ABDM promotes online pharmacies, making medicines available to people remotely.

Health information exchange

All healthcare providers can exchange medical reports, ensuring seamless access to healthcare services, irrespective of the location.


Key benefits of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission

Here are the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission benefits:

Better access to healthcare services:

ABDM combines digital technologies and healthcare services, simplifying access to health services from anywhere in the country.

Enhanced privacy and confidentiality:

Digital health records are encrypted and safe from any unauthorised access.

Easy availability of medical records:

ABDM EMR (electronic medical report) is available online, making them easily accessible and eliminating the need for carrying paper documents to doctors.

Efficient healthcare:

Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission’s (ABDM) teleconsultation and online pharmacy reduces time, travelling costs, and waiting time for patients.

Comprehensive health records:

ABDM's unique health ID (UHID) enables centralised health records storage, making it easier for doctors to diagnose and treat a patient.

What is the vision of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission?

Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) is a game-changing digital initiative aimed at transforming the healthcare sector in India. This ambitious program, launched by the Indian government, seeks to provide affordable and accessible healthcare to every citizen across the country. Let's take a closer look at the vision of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.

  • To ensure that every citizen has access to affordable, high-quality healthcare services.
  • To create a digital and centralised national health infrastructure that is accessible to all.
  • To facilitate a transparent and efficient cashless healthcare system.
  • To create a technology and data driven comprehensive health insurance ecosystem.

Objectives of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)

Here are some key objectives of Ayushman Digital Health Mission:

  • To create a unique health ID for every citizen that will serve as a digital passport for accessing healthcare services across the country.
  • To create a national health stack, a digital infrastructure that will enable the interoperability of health data across different systems and service providers.
  • To enable a cashless and paperless health insurance system that will provide universal health coverage to all citizens.
  • To foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the healthcare sector by leveraging digital technologies and data analytics.

Documents required to register for ABDM

To register for ABDM, one needs to provide the following documents and information:

  • Aadhaar Card number along with their mobile number
  • Unique ABDM health ID to access digital health records

What are the building blocks of ABDM?

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) is built on a strong foundation of digital infrastructure that includes several building blocks. Let us take a closer look at some of the key building blocks of ABDM.

⦁ Health ID: The creation of a unique health ID for every citizen is a key component of ABDM. This ID serves as a digital passport for accessing healthcare services across the country.

⦁ Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR): ABDM includes the creation of a registry of healthcare professionals that will enable better management of human resources in the healthcare sector.

⦁ Health Facility Register (HFR): The HFR is a comprehensive database of all healthcare facilities in the country, enabling citizens to locate healthcare services easily.

⦁ ABHA mobile app (PHR): The Personal Health Record (PHR) is a mobile app that enables citizens to manage their health records, book appointments, and access other healthcare services.

Overall, Ayushman Bharat Digital mission is a crucial health initiative that intends to make healthcare services more efficient and accessible to millions of citizens in India.

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Sampoorna Jeevan Suraksha Yojana

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Ayushman Bharat Yojana - PMJAY scheme

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Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana

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ABHA health insurance

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Frequently asked questions

When was Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission launched?

Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) on August 27, 2021. It is an initiative to digitalise healthcare services and records in India.

What is the ABHA number?

ABHA number refers to a unique identification number provided to beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme. The government generates the ABHA number based on a person's Aadhaar number. It is used to avail treatment facilities under the scheme.

What are the benefits of an ABHA card?

Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) card serves as a health insurance card for the beneficiaries of Ayushman Bharat scheme. It enables them to avail of medical treatment at any of the empanelled hospitals across India without any payment. The card also provides access to free medicines, diagnostic tests, and consultation services.

What is the difference between Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and Pradhan Mantri Digital Health Mission?

The central government launched Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and Pradhan Mantri Digital Health Mission to ease healthcare access for citizens. Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission aims to digitise health records and make healthcare services more accessible. Pradhan Mantri Digital Health Mission focuses on creating a comprehensive health information architecture. This creates a national digital health ecosystem to provide integrated health services to all Indians.

What are the components of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)?

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission has five components.

1. Health ID or unique ID
2. Digi Doctor or telemedicine component
3. Health Facility Registry
4. Personal Health Record (PHR)
5. National Digital Health Mission enables seamless sharing of health records across public and private healthcare providers

What is a PHR address?

PHR or Personal Health Record Address is a unique and secure digital address that is assigned to individuals to access their PHR. It will be linked to a Health ID number and will allow individuals to access their health records and other health services through a digital platform.

What is the NDHM scheme?

The National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) is a healthcare initiative launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It aims to create a digital healthcare ecosystem that will include the creation of a unique health ID for each individual, a digital repository of health records, and the establishment of Health Information Exchanges.

What is the full form of ABDM?

The full form of ABDM is Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.

Who launched the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission?

The Honourable Prime Minister of India launched the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.

What is not covered under Ayushman Bharat Yojana?

Given below is the list of topics not covered under Ayushman Bharat Yojana:

  • Out-Patient Department (OPD) expenses
  • Drug rehabilitation
  • Cosmetic surgeries
  • Fertility treatments
  • Individual diagnostics
  • Organ transplant
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