Previous Year Question
With reference to Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, consider the following statements:
Private and public hospitals must adopt it.
As it aims to achieve universal health coverage, every citizen of India should be part of it ultimately.
It has seamless portability across the country.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1 and 2
Only 3
1 and 3
1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Solution
The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) aims to establish a secure, inclusive and interoperable digital-health ecosystem for India. It was launched nationwide on 27 September 2021, following a pilot launched in six Union Territories in August 2020.
Statement 1 is incorrect. Adoption of ABDM is not mandatory for either private or public hospitals. Registration of a healthcare facility and integration of its digital infrastructure with ABDM are voluntary decisions taken by the management of the institution.
Hospitals, clinics, laboratories and pharmacies may obtain a digital identity through the Health Facility Registry, but universal compulsory registration is not prescribed.
Statement 2 is incorrect. ABDM supports universal health coverage, but this does not make participation compulsory for every citizen. Creation of an Ayushman Bharat Health Account is voluntary.
ABHA is a 14-digit unique health identification number. Citizens may link their health records to it based on informed consent. Exchange of health information also requires the individual’s consent. Therefore, the objective of universal health coverage does not mean that every citizen must compulsorily join ABDM.
Statement 3 is correct. ABDM’s national digital architecture enables seamless portability of health records and services across the country. Subject to the individual’s consent, digital health records can be made accessible across different States and healthcare institutions.
The principal components supporting portability include:
ABHA Number;
Healthcare Professionals Registry;
Health Facility Registry;
Health Information Exchange and Consent Manager; and
common interoperability standards.