Mizoram Pioneers Digital Health Revolution

• 28 Aug 2023

Source: PIB

Why in News?

The National Health Authority (NHA) has unveiled the "100 Microsites" project, aimed at accelerating the adoption of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) across India.

• Mizoram has achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first state to operationalize an ABDM Microsite in its capital city, Aizawl.

What is Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission?

• The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) is a national initiative that aims to develop the digital health infrastructure of the country. It was launched in September, 2021.
  • Ayushman Bharat is a flagship scheme of India which was launched as recommended by the National Health Policy 2017, to achieve the vision of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

What are ABDM Microsites?

• About:
  • The ABDM Microsites are geographically defined regions where targeted outreach initiatives are conducted to onboard small and medium-scale private healthcare providers.
    • The Microsite project aims to ensure that all healthcare facilities, including private clinics, small hospitals, and labs, become ABDM-enabled and offer digital health services to patients.
    • An interfacing agency under this program will have an on-ground team to reach out to the healthcare providers in the area.
• Implementation:
  • The implementation of these microsites is primarily led by the State Mission Directors of ABDM, supported by the NHA's financial resources and comprehensive guidance.
• Benefits:
  • Patients can benefit from digital services such as online appointments, e-prescriptions, e-reports, e-bills, e-consent, e-referrals, and e-feedback at these facilities.
    • Health records generated within these ABDM-enabled facilities can be seamlessly linked to their Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHAs).
    • Furthermore, these records are accessible and shareable through any ABDM-enabled Personal Health Record (PHR) application on mobile devices, ensuring that patients have access to their health information at their fingertips.
• Current Progress:
  • Mizoram's groundbreaking achievement is not in isolation; other states, including Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh, are also making substantial strides in implementing ABDM Microsites.
  • This collective effort signifies a nationwide movement towards achieving comprehensive healthcare digitization.

What is the National Health Authority?

• National Health Authority (NHA) is the apex body responsible for implementing India’s flagship public health insurance/assurance scheme called “Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana”.
  • It has been entrusted with the role of designing strategy, building technological infrastructure and implementation of “National Digital Health Mission” to create a National Digital Health Ecosystem.
• NHA is the successor of the National Health Agency, which has been functioning as a registered society since 23rd May 2018.
  • Pursuant to Cabinet decision for full functional autonomy, National Health Agency was reconstituted as the National Health Authority on 2nd January 2019.