Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a new mission, the National Digital Health Mission today while addressing citizens of the country from Red Fort on the occasion of India’s 74th Independence Day.
He stated that the initiative will be “completely technology- base" and will revolutionize the health sector. He explained that each citizen will be getting an ID card which will contain information about his or her medical conditions. The card will be used by citizens to access health services and medicines.
"From today a new campaign is going to start in the country. It is the National Digital Health Mission, which will bring a new revolution in the health sector in India," the Prime Minister said.
"Every Indian will get a Health ID card. Every time you visit a doctor or a pharmacy, everything will be logged in this card. From the doctor's appointment to the medication, everything will be available in your health profile," he added.
The National Digital Health Mission is a part of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri JAN Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) which is likely to improve the transparency and efficiency of health services in the country according to government officials.
As a part of the scheme, confidential medical information such as prescriptions, diagnostic reports and discharge summaries will be stored in the ID card.
“Patients will give their doctors, or health providers, one-time access to this data during visits to the hospital or for consultation. Amid fears over data confidentiality, the government said access to medical data will have to be given separately for each visit and that doctors could only access it for a limited time,” NDTV reported.
Through services like tele – consultation and e- pharmacies, patients will get other health related benefits as well.
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