On August 15, 2020, PM Modi launched the National Digital Health Mission during his address at the 74th Independence Day celebrations.
Highlights
Under the mission, every Indian is to get a Health ID card. The ID card will contain all relevant information about the person’s past medical condition, treatment and diagnosis. The mission is completely technology based.
The mission aims to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and transparency of health care in India. It is to operate under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana or Ayushman Bharat.
Features
- The citizens holding the cards shall allow one-time access to the doctors and health care providers during their visit to the hospitals
- The permission to access confidential medical data is to be provided for every visit by the patient himself. By this, the privacy of the patient is maintained. The control of access to the digital records is completely in the hands of the patient. The doctors can access the medical record every time only at the will of the patients.
- The Mission allows patients to access health services remotely. It also features Tele-consultation and E-Pharmacies.
About the Health ID card
The details of the prescription is to be logged in the health ID card provided under the scheme. It will also contain results of tests conducted, reports, advised medication, etc. The ID is to hold information about every single test conducted, diagnosis, treatment and medicines.
Ayushman Bharat
The programme was launched in 2018 to address health issues at primary, secondary and tertiary levels. There are two main components of the scheme. They are Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana that was called the National Health Protection Scheme earlier and Health and Wellness Centres.
It is the largest Government funded health care programme in the world. It is also called Modicare.
Background
It is important for GoI to provide so much importance to the health sector for the following reasons
- Around 86% of rural households do not have access to health care insurance
- Around 17% of the India’s population are spending one-tenth of their household budget in availing health services.
- Only 19% of urban and 24% of rural households meet their health care financial needs.