ABHA ID sign-up sought for all patients

ABHA health ID is a 14-digit number enabling access to health records, prescriptions, and consultations

- Priyanka Sharma

The National Health Authority (NHA) has asked the National Medical Commission (NMC) to direct all medical colleges and government and private hospitals to register all patients for an Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Account (ABHA ID).

To be sure, hospitals cannot deny treatment to a patient if they do not want an ABHA ID account, as this is entirely voluntary in nature.

In addition, digital health data privacy is covered under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, the rules for which were notified on 3 January. It will become once it is passed by Parliament.

As part of the plan, NHA has suggested to the medical education regulator that a joint mechanism be explored to review the progress of digitization through ABHA.