Srinagar, Jan 19: Under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), Jammu & Kashmir has created 85 lakh Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHAs), with authorities mulling to cover the entire population.
The ABDM was launched nationally in September 2021 and rolled out in J&K on July 25, 2022. The key components of ABDM include Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA), Health Professionals Registry (HPR), and Health Facility Registry (HFR).
Officials said that to date, 85,74,098 ABHAs have been created. The ABHA is a randomly generated 14-digit number used to uniquely identify individuals and thread their health records across various systems.
The ABHA aims to have access to information from admission to discharge in a paperless manner and create a longitudinal health history for evidence-based treatment.
Earlier, citizens lacked access to medical records, information about doctors, and the ability to consult remotely. Hospitals, labs and doctors lacked access to patient medical history and faced challenges in follow-up and remote consultations.
The HPR serves as an extensive repository that integrates information encompassing a wide range of medical professionals, including doctors and nurses. The official said a total of 6358 (80%) health professionals have been verified.
Similarly, the HFR is a comprehensive repository of all health facilities, including public and private, across modern and traditional systems. In Jammu and Kashmir, the public verified HFR is 3610 (100%), he said.
Additional Mission Director, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), Dr Shafqat Khan said they want to issue ABHA health cards to the entire population in Jammu and Kashmir and many activities are being conducted in this regard.
Nasir Ahmad, Consultant IEC, JK ABDM shared that Information Education Communication (IEC) material is being distributed to motivate people to obtain their ABHA cards. Programs are being organized throughout J&K to popularize ABDM and enhance its implementation. “We aim to digitize the entire healthcare landscape, and these initiatives are integral to that,” he said.
The ABDM aims to develop the backbone necessary to support the integrated digital health infrastructure of the country and will bridge the existing gap among different stakeholders of the Healthcare ecosystem through digital highways.
Khan said the achievements of ABDM promoting healthcare and facilitating access to services in Jammu and Kashmir underscore the dedication of these organizations towards enhancing the well-being of the residents of the Union Territory.
“ABDM implementation is expected to significantly improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency of health service delivery overall,” he said.
Patients will be able to securely store and access their medical records (such as prescriptions, diagnostic reports and discharge summaries), and share them with healthcare providers to ensure appropriate treatment and follow-up. “They will also have access to more accurate information on health facilities and service providers. Further, they will have the option to access health services remotely through teleconsultation and e-pharmacy,” the Additional Mission Director said.
The ABDM will provide choice to individuals to access both public and private health services, facilitate compliance with laid down guidelines and protocols, and ensure transparency in the pricing of services and accountability for the health services being rendered.
“Similarly, health professionals will have better access to a patient’s medical history for prescribing more appropriate and effective health interventions. The integrated ecosystem will also enable a better continuum of care,” he said.
The ABDM will help digitize the claims process and enable faster reimbursement. This will enhance the overall ease of providing services amongst the health care providers.
Notably, in October this year the ABDM J&K received the third position award for cue less OPD management in the UT.
The official said highly qualified professionals work for the smooth operation and implementation of ABDM in the UT. The participation of health workers and allied field staff has remained excellent and played an important role in the successful implementation of the mission.
