The Government's Vision for ABHA in 2030

Key Features of ABHA

Before we delve deeper into the topic, let us discuss in brief the features of ABHA:

• ABHA works as a repository that allows the collection, retrieval, and exchange of patient information. This allows for the easy storage of medical histories and a streamlined healthcare delivery system.
• Portability is one of the main features of ABHA. The accounts are portable across various hospitals and healthcare facilities, where a patient’s information can be accessed with their consent.
• All records of treatments and transactions are recorded digitally. This increases the transparency and accountability of the healthcare system.
   

How is ABHA Beneficial?

The benefits of having an Ayushman Bharat Health Account are as listed below:

• Unique ID for users: Users registering for an Ayushman Bharat Health Account are assigned a 14-digit unique ID through which patients can avail of streamlined medical services in all clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. Patients don't have to carry around multiple medical records.
• Easy storage and management of Personal Health Records: While using ABHA, users can sign into Personal Health Records, which allows them to store all their health-related information digitally. This information, which includes their vaccination details, previous prescriptions, notes from doctors' consultations, diagnostic reports, etc., can then be shared with healthcare providers upon the account owner's consent.
  
  This way, users do not have to carry around physical documents. It also helps maintain coordination between the various stakeholders.
  
• Search for verified healthcare professionals: ABHA integrates with “Health Professionals Registry” and “Health Facility Registry”, which makes it easy for patients to search for doctors, hospitals, clinics, diagnostic labs, etc., close to them. The professionals registered in this directory are highly qualified and experienced. Patients can either opt for online or in-person consultations with these professionals.
• Quick access to benefits and easier claim processing: If you are eligible for certain healthcare-related benefits and concessions, your ABHA ID can store all the relevant information. Patients, therefore, do not have to manage separate documents for various healthcare benefits. All these details will be linked to your ABHA ID, offering a unified platform to access all health benefits easily. This can also make it easy for you to settle claims. The hospitals can access the insurance details from your ABHA ID and expedite the process of cashless claim approval.
• Easy Opt-in and Opt-out: ABHA gives patients complete control over how they want to proceed with their healthcare journey. They can sign up whenever they want to, or opt-out whenever they feel they no longer want to use the card. Once a user decides to opt out of ABHA, all their data is removed from the database.

Acceptance of ABHA Among Indian Citizens

To date, over 67 crore Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts have been created with over 42 crore health records being linked to ABHA. Its directory also enlists around 236 private entities like pharmacies, laboratories, and companies that offer digital solutions, which promotes interoperability. Not only this, but top institutions like AIIMS Bhopal and AIIMS Delhi accept OPD registrations through the “Scan and Share” option, thereby reducing wait times significantly.

In this context, it is significant to mention that Uttar Pradesh had set a new record for accepting more than 80 lakh OPD registrations through ABHA ID till June 2024. The state also generated the highest number of tokens in the country, followed by Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. These figures speak volumes about the acceptance of ABHA among the citizens of India and their willingness to be identified as participants in the country’s digital healthcare ecosystem.
 

The Future of ABHA: What Can Be Attained by 2030

ABHA, an important component of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, has garnered immense popularity since its inception. Through its integration with various schemes and entities, the ABDM aims to continue to strengthen the digital healthcare ecosystem and prompt more people to register with ABHA.

Here’s how ABHA can shape the future of healthcare in India:

Enhanced Interoperability

ABHA enables the smooth exchange of data among various healthcare systems. With more specialists, hospitals, diagnostic labs, telemedicine platforms, and insurance providers adding to HPR and HFR, ABHA will create a unified platform that will help eliminate redundancies. This interconnectivity can create a patient-centric ecosystem where authorized entities can instantly view prescriptions, medical history, lab reports, etc. ABHA, therefore, is poised to increase the efficiency of the delivery of healthcare services through an evolved digital landscape.
 

Promoting Inclusivity- Bridging the Urban-Rural Health Gap

The ABHA app has recently added the provision of facilitating offline ABHA creation. Efforts are also being taken to train field-level health workers in the rural parts of India so that they can spread awareness on the creation of ABHA ID. These steps can significantly improve the quality of healthcare facilities available in the remote parts of India, thereby ensuring last-mile delivery of services.

Registering with ABHA can make it easier for rural people to opt for teleconsultation services and look for clinics, specialists, and medical facilities nearby. The storage of all medical information in a digital repository also makes it easy for them to migrate to better healthcare facilities having cutting-edge technologies for treatment.

Data Availability for Improving Health Outcomes

The National Health Authority has signed an MoU with IIT Kanpur. Under this MoU, IIT Kanpur will develop platforms that will promote federated learning, quality databases, AI model benchmarking, and consent management under ABDM. This collaboration will aim at tackling the issue of the availability and efficacy of data for disease diagnosis. Availability of reliable data and leveraging AI for data analysis can automatically lead to enhanced diagnosis accuracy.
 

Conclusion

ABHA is transforming India’s healthcare by creating a transparent, unified, and efficient digital ecosystem. ABHA’s potential for integration with other healthcare initiatives and schemes lays the foundation for a comprehensive framework. Adding to this, the use of advanced technologies like AI can ensure accurate data analysis and lead to better data-driven diagnoses and outcomes.

As the future of ABHA seems promising, make sure you do not miss out on availing its benefits. Take the next step in your healthcare journey with Bajaj Allianz insurance plans. Secure your health and experience the convenience of digital health solutions integrated with ABHA.
 

FAQs
 

1. Is an ABHA card mandatory?

No, it is not mandatory to have an ABHA card. However, considering the digitization of healthcare practices and how ABHA is facilitating it, it may be beneficial for an individual to own an ABHA card.

2. Are the Ayushman card and the ABHA card the same?

The Ayushman card and ABHA card are not the same. The Ayushman card offers health insurance coverages to families that are enrolled under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. On the other hand, the ABHA card is available to all Indian citizens and acts as a repository that stores and shares all health related information.
 

3. How to use an ABHA card in a private hospital?

Once registered with ABHA, look for all the empaneled private hospitals in the “Healthcare Professional Registry”. This will help you avail all the benefits of ABHA in the private hospital.