National Digital Health Mission to Launch Soon in Odisha

The initiative will digitize patient medical records through the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA), enabling patients to access their data when needed.

The Odisha government is set to roll out the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) alongside the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).

While Odisha implemented the AB-HWCs and ABDM, it initially opted for its own Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) over PMJAY. Following the BJP's rise to power, plans were announced to implement PMJAY by February.

The initiative will digitize patient medical records through the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA), enabling patients to access their data when needed.

Sharing thoughts, Mukesh Mahaling, Health and Family Welfare Minister, said, “Digitization of health records has already begun in the state. Patients can access their medical records anytime and anywhere in the country with the help of ABHA ID.”

ABHA serves as a unique health ID, offering a comprehensive digital history of a patient's health. This enables healthcare providers to make more informed diagnoses and treatments.

“Doctors in all state-run hospitals will be able to access these accounts once the system is implemented,” Mahaling added.

The Centre introduced the Ayushman Bharat scheme in 2018, featuring three components: AB-PMJAY, Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs), and Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).

Odisha excelled in creating ABHA IDs in 2022, surpassing the Centre's target of 21.9 lakh by generating 43.61 lakh IDs through various health portals. The top-performing districts included Bhadrak, Jajpur, Cuttack, Ganjam, Sundargarh, Mayurbhanj, Kendrapara, Balasore, Puri, and Keonjhar.

Likewise, months back, there were several talks regarding the implementation of AB-PMJAY in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. BJP MPs had also approached the Delhi High Court, urging it to mandate the implementation of the same.

Reportedly, the MPs’ plea sought court intervention to direct the Delhi Government and the Department of Health and Family Welfare to take necessary steps for rolling out the healthcare scheme in Delhi, as is done in other states and Union Territories.

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