The National Digital Health Mission (NDHM), launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15th August 2020, aims to create a unified digital healthcare system in India. Later renamed as Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), this initiative is designed to digitize health records, enable seamless access to patient data, and integrate healthcare providers, patients, and facilities. By using technology, the mission seeks to make healthcare efficient, transparent, and citizen-centric, supporting the goals of universal health coverage.
What is the National Digital Health Mission?
The NDHM is a government initiative under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, implemented by the National Health Authority (NHA). It provides a digital infrastructure linking healthcare providers, hospitals, laboratories, pharmacies, and patients. The mission allows secure, consent-based access to health records, promoting better continuity of care, efficient management of healthcare facilities, and equitable access to medical services across India.
Also Check: Ayushman Bharat Scheme
What are the Objectives of NDHM?
The mission focuses on multiple objectives:
- Citizen-centric Health Data Management: Citizens can control their health information, share it only with consent, and manage personal health records digitally.
- Integrated Health Ecosystem: NDHM connects doctors, hospitals, labs, pharmacies, and other health service providers through a standardized digital framework.
- Improved Accessibility and Equity: Digital technologies ensure that healthcare services are available anywhere and anytime, reducing disparities.
- Streamlined Healthcare Delivery: Digitization reduces duplication of tests, improves efficiency, ensures transparency, and enhances overall healthcare coordination.
- Support Universal Health Coverage: NDHM aligns with National Health Policy 2017 and Sustainable Development Goals, promoting preventive and promotive care.
What are the Key Components of NDHM?
NDHM consists of several interconnected components to form a complete digital health ecosystem:
1. Health ID (ABHA)
- Every citizen can create a unique digital Health ID, linked to mobile or Aadhaar number.
- Health IDs serve as a repository for all health-related information, accessible anywhere with consent.
- Participation by patients is voluntary and applicable nationwide.
2. Health Professional Registry (HPR)
- A comprehensive database of doctors and healthcare professionals, including their qualifications, specializations, and digital signatures.
- Digital signatures allow healthcare providers to issue prescriptions and medical records digitally.
3. Health Facility Registry (HFR)
- Contains information on public and private healthcare facilities across India.
- Supports efficient hospital management and enables patients to locate medical services easily.
4. Personal Health Records (PHR)
- Citizens can store and manage their health records digitally, ensuring seamless access for treatment.
- Facilitates continuity of care and reduces duplication of tests.
5. Other Horizontal Components
- National Health Electronic Registries: For doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, and insurance companies.
- National Health Analytics Platform (NHAP): Data-driven insights for better healthcare planning.
- Telemedicine and e-Pharmacy: Accessible services connecting patients and providers remotely.
- Health Data Dictionaries and Supply Chain Management: Standardized data for interoperability.
How does NDHM Benefit Citizens, Healthcare Providers, and the System?
The details of the benefits obtained from the National Digital Health Mission are as follows:
| For Citizens | For Healthcare Providers | For the Healthcare System |
| Easy access to comprehensive health records from anywhere; Continuity of care without repeating diagnostic tests; Informed consent ensures privacy and security of personal data. | Efficient record-keeping and patient management; Secure access to patient history for informed treatment; Digital tools like Digi Doctor for issuing prescriptions. | Better coordination between public and private facilities; Reduced operational costs and time savings; Transparency and accountability in service delivery. |
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What are the Expected Outcomes of NDHM?
If implemented effectively, NDHM can achieve the following:
- Citizens access health records in five clicks.
- Continuum of care across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.
- Single-point access to multiple healthcare services.
- Reduction of redundant medical tests.
- Improved data-driven decision-making for health policies.
What Challenges does NDHM face?
Despite its benefits, NDHM faces several challenges:
- Data Security and Privacy: Preventing unauthorized access and protecting sensitive health information.
- Technical Glitches: Ensuring smooth integration of digital infrastructure nationwide.
- Interstate Coordination: Accommodating state-specific rules and regulations.
- Adoption by Stakeholders: Voluntary participation by doctors and hospitals.
- Learning from Global Experiences: Avoiding pitfalls seen in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) digital system.
How does NDHM Relate to National Health Policy and Sustainable Development Goals?
NDHM aligns with the National Health Policy 2017, which emphasizes:
- Universal healthcare access and preventive-promotive care.
- Integration of AYUSH systems and conventional medicine.
- Expansion of primary care services through Health and Wellness Centres.
- Targeted public health expenditure of 2.5% of GDP by 2025.
In addition, NDHM supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by improving healthcare accessibility, equity, and quality.
What is the Roadmap for NDHM Implementation?
The mission follows a phased approach:
- Initial Phase: Launch Health ID, HPR, HFR, and PHR systems.
- Next Phase: Expand digital services to include telemedicine, e-pharmacy, and integrated analytics.
- Future Vision: Ensure interoperability, citizen-centric care, nationwide coverage, and adoption by public and private stakeholders.
NDHM also promotes cooperative federalism, involving states and union territories in seamless implementation.
How will NDHM Transform Healthcare Delivery in India?
NDHM promises a paradigm shift in healthcare by:
- Reducing inefficiencies in medical service delivery.
- Offering real-time, digital health data for better treatment and policy planning.
- Ensuring equity in healthcare access for rural and urban populations alike.
- Facilitating research and innovation by making anonymized data available for medical studies.
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Details |
| Launch Date | 15th August 2020 |
| Ministry | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare |
| Implementing Authority | National Health Authority (NHA) |
| Vision | Integrated digital health ecosystem supporting Universal Health Coverage |
| Key Components | Health ID (ABHA), Health Professional Registry (HPR), Health Facility Registry (HFR), Personal Health Records (PHR) |
| Benefits | Easy access to health data, continuity of care, improved efficiency, transparency |
| Achievements | 71.16 crore ABHA accounts, 3.54 lakh health facilities registered, 5.37 lakh healthcare professionals onboarded |
| Challenges | Data privacy, interoperability, adoption by stakeholders, technical issues |
| Alignment | National Health Policy 2017, SDGs, Universal Health Coverage |
| Future | Telemedicine, e-pharmacy, health analytics, nationwide interoperability |
Questions Based on NDHM
- When was the National Digital Health Mission launched?
a) 26th January 2020
b) 15th August 2020
c) 2nd October 2019
d) 1st January 2021
e) 14th November 2020 - NDHM is implemented under which ministry?
a) Ministry of Electronics & IT
b) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
c) Ministry of Science & Technology
d) Ministry of Rural Development
e) Ministry of Home Affairs - What is ABHA in the context of NDHM?
a) Digital signature for doctors
b) Unique Health ID for citizens
c) Telemedicine platform
d) Health analytics tool
e) Online pharmacy service - Which body is responsible for implementing NDHM?
a) NITI Aayog
b) National Health Authority (NHA)
c) Indian Council of Medical Research
d) Ministry of AYUSH
e) Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation - Which of the following is NOT a component of NDHM?
a) Health Professional Registry
b) Personal Health Records
c) Health Facility Registry
d) National Health Insurance Plan
e) Health ID - Which policy laid the groundwork for NDHM?
a) National Digital India Policy
b) National Health Policy 2017
c) National AYUSH Policy 2015
d) National Education Policy 2020
e) National e-Governance Plan - Which feature allows doctors to issue digital prescriptions in NDHM?
a) Health ID
b) Digi Doctor
c) HFR
d) Telemedicine
e) NHAP - One of the primary objectives of NDHM is:
a) Privatize healthcare
b) Provide citizen-centric digital health services
c) Replace primary health centers
d) Conduct insurance surveys
e) Restrict healthcare to urban areas - How many ABHA accounts have been created under NDHM so far?
a) 50 crore
b) 71.16 crore
c) 45 crore
d) 60 crore
e) 80 crore - Which challenge is most associated with NDHM?
a) Shortage of hospitals
b) Data security and privacy
c) Lack of doctors
d) High cost of medicines
e) Low life expectancy
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Answer Key
| Question Number | Answer | Question Number | Answer |
| 1 | b | 6 | b |
| 2 | b | 7 | b |
| 3 | b | 8 | b |
| 4 | b | 9 | b |
| 5 | d | 10 | b |
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