The National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) is an initiative of the Government of India that aims to create a unified digital health infrastructure for the country.
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The mission seeks to establish a national digital health ecosystem that will enable the seamless exchange of health-related data and information among various stakeholders, including patients, healthcare providers, and government agencies.
The NDHM was launched on August 15, 2020, by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and is being implemented by the National Health Authority (NHA) under the aegis of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The mission is a key component of the government’s Digital India program and aims to leverage digital technologies to improve access to healthcare, enhance the quality of care, and reduce healthcare costs.
Four Pillars
The NDHM is built on four core pillars: Health ID, DigiDoctor, Health Facility Registry, and Personal Health Records. Let’s take a closer look at each of these pillars.
Health ID
The Health ID is a unique digital identity for each individual that will be used to store and manage their health-related data and information. The Health ID will be based on the individual’s Aadhaar card or any other government-issued ID and will be linked to their health records, including their medical history, prescriptions, and diagnostic reports. The Health ID will also enable patients to access a range of digital health services, including teleconsultations, e-pharmacies, and home healthcare services.
DigiDoctor
The DigiDoctor is a digital registry of healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, and other paramedical staff. The DigiDoctor will enable patients to search for and find healthcare providers in their area based on their specialty, qualifications, and other criteria. The DigiDoctor will also enable healthcare providers to manage their profiles, update their qualifications, and share their clinical records securely.
Health Facility Registry
The Health Facility Registry is a comprehensive digital directory of all healthcare facilities in the country, including hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic centers. The registry will enable patients to search for and find healthcare facilities in their area based on their location, services offered, and other criteria. The Health Facility Registry will also enable healthcare providers to manage their profiles, update their services, and share their clinical records securely.
Personal Health Records
The Personal Health Records is a digital repository of an individual’s health-related data and information, including their medical history, prescriptions, diagnostic reports, and other health-related documents. The Personal Health Records will be linked to the individual’s Health ID and will be accessible to authorized healthcare providers, enabling them to provide better and more personalized care.
Aim & Objective
The NDHM aims to create a secure and interoperable digital health ecosystem that will enable the seamless exchange of health-related data and information among various stakeholders. The mission also seeks to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the digital health space by enabling startups and other organizations to develop and deploy innovative digital health solutions.
The NDHM is expected to have a transformative impact on India’s healthcare sector by improving access to healthcare, enhancing the quality of care, and reducing healthcare costs. The mission is also expected to contribute to the overall economic development of the country by creating new job opportunities and promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in the digital health space.
Demerits
However, the NDHM has faced some criticism and concerns regarding data privacy and security. The mission involves the collection and storage of sensitive health-related data, and there are concerns that this data could be misused or compromised. The government has assured that adequate safeguards and security measures will be put in place to protect the privacy and security of the data.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the National Digital Health Mission is a transformative initiative of the Government of India that seeks to create a unified digital health infrastructure for the country. The mission aims to leverage digital technologies to improve access to healthcare, enhance the
Other Health Policies In India
In addition to the National Digital Health Mission, the Indian government has implemented several other health policies and initiatives aimed at improving access to healthcare, enhancing the quality of care, and reducing healthcare costs. Here are some of the notable health policies and initiatives in India:
Ayushman Bharat: Ayushman Bharat is a flagship health insurance scheme launched by the Government of India in 2018. The scheme provides health insurance coverage to over 100 million families or approximately 500 million individuals from economically weaker sections of the society.
The scheme provides coverage of up to INR 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.
National Health Policy 2017
The National Health Policy 2017 is a comprehensive policy framework that aims to achieve universal health coverage and provide affordable and accessible healthcare to all. The policy focuses on increasing public spending on healthcare, strengthening primary healthcare, and promoting public-private partnerships.
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is a national cleanliness campaign launched by the Government of India in 2014. The campaign aims to improve the sanitation and hygiene conditions in the country to reduce the incidence of diseases and promote better health outcomes.
Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK)
JSSK is a scheme launched by the Government of India in 2011 that aims to provide free healthcare services to pregnant women and newborns. The scheme provides free and cashless delivery, free transport to the healthcare facility, free drugs and diagnostics, and free postnatal care services to pregnant women and newborns.
National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)
NRHM is a flagship health program launched by the Government of India in 2005. The program aims to provide accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare to the rural population of India. The program focuses on strengthening the primary healthcare system, improving the infrastructure and facilities of rural healthcare centers, and promoting community participation in healthcare.
Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Program
The Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Program is a scheme launched by the Government of India in 2016 that aims to provide free dialysis services to the economically weaker sections of the society. The scheme provides financial assistance to the states to set up dialysis centers and provides free dialysis services to eligible patients.
In conclusion, India has implemented several health policies and initiatives aimed at improving access to healthcare, enhancing the quality of care, and reducing healthcare costs. These policies and initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to improving the health outcomes of the country’s population and achieving universal health coverage.
