In an effort to provide better access, the healthcare data of individuals is usually uploaded on the platform. However, people often wonder, whether ABHA is safe or not.
To answer this question, let’s dive in and decode more about the data security of an Ayushman Bharat Health Account or ABHA!
Data Security by ABHA
The Ayushman Bharat Health Account maintains the security and confidentiality of medical information of its users by complying with regulatory guidelines. All the health records are protected through encryption and the access is managed through consent managers.
Availability of health records is always in the power of the user, who can decide who gets access to their data. This enables cardholders like you to allow access to a doctor or a hospital for a limited time and to take that access back when it is no longer needed. Such a scheme ensures that patient data can be kept confidential and secure but allows healthcare workers access if they are required to assist with the treatment.
Role of Consent in ABHA
Consent plays a vital role in data sharing while using the ABHA. Data or any personal information can only be disclosed once the user has given consent to do so. If there is a situation where private information is being shared, then it must be preceded by voluntary, transparent, informed, and explicit consent from the user. ABHA is created in such a way that it does not disclose any personally identifiable information or health information that has been collected by it to any third party without the user's consent. These features make it a reliable healthcare platform to store data.
Security Standards followed by ABHA
The Ayushman Bharat Health Account maintains certain security standards. A few are listed below:
- Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) conducts data protection impact assessments before engaging with any new technologies that may pose risks to users.
- Data processors follow various data management protocols to maintain security standards.
- To sustain security standards, the ABDM team often maintains and updates accurate and current records. This is frequently done to perform important operations in the data lifecycle, including the collection, transfer, and erasure of personal data.
- ABDM always maintains a strict audit trail of processing activities that access the user’s data so that no data breach can occur.
ABDM compliance with Global Data Protection Regulations and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) follows various security protocols that have been set by the Global Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Here are some regulations that ABDM follows to protect its data:
- GDPR promotes transparency, lawfulness, and fairness. All the security protocols of ABDM are created by maintaining the mentioned standards set by GDPR.
- GDPR promotes the collection of minimal data. Hence, ABHA only collects data related to the user’s health.
- GDPR allows data portability. Therefore, ABHA allows its user to access and transfer any record related to their health.
- The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) promotes confidentiality. Therefore, ABHA stores all the data in an encrypted format.
- The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) puts some limitations on access control. Therefore, ABHA does not allow unauthorised and non-consent access control.
Conclusion
To protect the user's information, ABHA uses encryption, patient consent before access, and strict protocols. This makes ABHA India’s reliable digitised health record management platform, enabling users to have their records under their control while protecting their data as per the established global guidelines. Hence, we can conclude that it is safe to create an Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA)!
FAQs
1. Can ABHA data be hacked or misused?
The ABHA is designed in such a way that no security breach can take place. Hence, no data can get leaked. While certain threats like hacking and unauthorised access always pose a risk, they can be effectively managed by using strong passwords and keeping your login credentials safe.
2. Is it safe to use the ABHA App?
The National Health Authority (NHA) has designed the ABHA app with strong security measures and privacy protection. Hence, it is absolutely safe to use the ABHA app.
3. Can I use my ABHA number to share my health data?
Yes, you can use your ABHA number to share your health data only with the people you choose. To share health details, you need to create an ABDM | ABHA address and link it to your ABHA number to start sharing your health data.
4. Is the ABHA card safe to use?
Yes, the ABHA card is safe to use. As long as users are cautious about using it and accessing healthcare, it is extremely safe.
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