• UGI USER
  • Aug 29, 2023
  • 27 Likes
  • 1 Comments

Mizoram Pioneers Digital Health Revolution.

Relevance:

GS Paper – 2, GS Paper – 3, Government Policies & Interventions, Central Sector Schemes, Health.

Tags: #upsc #NHA #micrositesproject #Ayushmanbharat #competitiveexams.

Why in the 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.

Source:https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1951299#:~:text=Mizoram%20becomes%20the%20first%20state,health%20services%20to%20the%20patients.