India is set to highlight its groundbreaking Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) at the World Health Assembly, demonstrating its strides in leveraging digital health technologies to transform the healthcare landscape. This initiative, part of the larger Ayushman Bharat program, focuses on integrating various health services to ensure comprehensive, accessible, and affordable healthcare for all.
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission: A Transformative Initiative
The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission aims to create a seamless digital health ecosystem by bridging gaps between different stakeholders using technology. Launched in 2018, the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) has already provided health insurance coverage to millions of citizens. Alongside, the establishment of 150,000 Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) offers comprehensive primary healthcare services, significantly improving access to medical care across the country.
Integration and Innovation
ABDM’s integration efforts are commendable, with 40 digital health solutions successfully incorporated into its platform. These integrations include applications from both the public and private sectors, fostering a collaborative approach to digital health innovation. Notable integrations include health locker services like DigiLocker and health tech platforms such as Practo and JioHealthHub. This integration enhances interoperability and user access, making healthcare more efficient and patient-centric
Global Health Initiatives: Heal in India and Heal by India
In addition to showcasing its digital advancements, India will present the “Heal in India” and “Heal by India” initiatives. “Heal in India” aims to position the country as a global hub for medical tourism by offering integrated and holistic treatments. Meanwhile, “Heal by India” focuses on increasing the global mobility of India’s healthcare workforce, enabling Indian healthcare professionals to serve worldwide, embodying the philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (The World is One Family)
A Vision for the Future
Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya emphasized that these initiatives align with India’s guiding philosophy of inclusive growth and collective effort. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of a resilient healthcare system and the need for global cooperation in health emergencies. India’s response, marked by the rapid rollout of the vaccination campaign and the ‘Vaccine Maitri’ initiative, showcased the nation’s commitment to global health.
The World Health Assembly will serve as a platform for India to share its digital health innovations and collaborative efforts, reinforcing its role as a leader in global healthcare transformation. The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission stands as a testament to India’s dedication to ensuring health for all through technological integration and international cooperation.
