What is the National Digital Health Mission, its purpose and how will it be helpful?

 

National Digital Health Mission: PM Narendra Modi announced the launch of National Digital Health Mission during his speech on August 15, 2020, India's 74th Independence Day. With the launch of this historic mission, all citizens will be given health identity cards. The National Digital Health Mission was proposed by NITI Aayog in the year 2018. Under this, all the health information of each person will be kept in one place. The National Digital Health Mission will enable every Indian citizen to have a unique health account for hassle-free access to healthcare across the country. This sole health identity card will contain every test, every disease, medicines given by doctors, reports and related information.

 

Under the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM), every Indian will be given a health ID card which will act as a health account which will also include information about the person's previous medical conditions, treatment and diagnosis. A unique health ID will be given to every citizen, which will include the results of every disease, every test and all doctors as well as clinical trials and prescribed medicines. Also, the option will be given whether to link it to Aadhaar or not. These health IDs will be suitable in states, hospitals, pathological labs and pharma companies. These health IDs will work in a completely voluntary manner.

 

The National Digital Health Mission aims to create a national digital health ecosystem, which provides affordable and safe healthcare to the citizens of the country. This mission will also be a major achievement towards universal health coverage of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.8. National Digital Health Mission will be a completely technology-based initiative and it is expected to revolutionize the health sector. Below are 6 major points of NDHM, through which citizens will be provided timely, safe and affordable healthcare. Health ID, DigiDoctor, Health Facility Registry, Personal Health Records, e-Pharmacy, Telemedicine

 

The health ID card will be created with the help of details like Aadhaar and a person's mobile number, and a unique ID will be created for each person. Also, the health ID card will be voluntary and if a person does not want the health ID card, then he will be given treatment. The National Health Authority (NHA), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has approved to implement the National Digital Health Mission in the country. The National Digital Health Mission will be launched through a pilot launch in the Union Territories of Chandigarh, Ladakh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. With the initial learning in the union territories, the scheme will also be launched in the states.