Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya
Through National Digital Health Mission, we are opening the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) account, and by checking their account, they can check their health record. Their health history will be there in that account,” he added. Now India is leading in Digital health in the world. India’s Digital Health initiatives were appreciated during the G20 meeting.
New Delhi:
Emphasising on the use of digital technology in the health sector, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Sunday said that the implementation of digital technology has changed the dynamics of healthcare delivery.
“In the health sector, digital technology plays a vital role. During the COVID-19 crisis, digital technology helped us a lot. At that time, daily 10-15 lakh teleconsultations were done. People were unable to come out of their homes, but when they suffered from respiratory problems or any other health issues, they used the eSanjeevani platform, and through teleconsultation, they used to consult with specialist doctors. The implementation of digital technology has forever changed the dynamics of healthcare delivery,” Mandaviya told ANI.
He further said that earlier, people used to hold paper certificates in their hands, but in COVID-19 times, with the help of the COWIN app, they got their certificates through a digital platform. Whether they were vaccinated or not, they used to check on their phones.
Speaking on National Digital Health Mission, Mandaviya said that the government is opening the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA).”With the help of digital technology, we have now run a ‘Digital Health Mission’.
Through this mission, we are opening the ABHA account, and by checking their account, they can check their health record. Their health history will be there in that account,” he added. Now India is leading in Digital health in the world. India’s Digital Health initiatives were appreciated during the G20 meeting.
The digitally available health records will enable the ABHA holders in availing paper-less health services across the ABDM network. The pandemic time has particularly highlighted the importance of the application of digital technologies to health and its potential to strengthen health systems, prevent disease and enhance service delivery at the global, national and sub-national level.
Govt committed to work in coordination with state governments in health sector
Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is committed to working in coordination with state governments in the health sector, said Mandaviya on Sunday. He emphasized that despite differences in political parties, the government’s focus is on working together for the betterment of the country.
Mandaviya said, “We are one country. In a democratic system, there can be different parties but we have to work unitedly. Modi Government has always made efforts to work in coordination with state governments. In our country 60:40 model is adopted, Centre gives 60 per cent of the funds and state gives 40 per cent.” The AB-HWC is formulated with a 60:40 contribution ratio by the Centre and the state.
Mandaviya said, “We are one country. In a democratic system, there can be different parties but we have to work unitedly. Modi Government has always made efforts to work in coordination with state governments. In our country 60:40 model is adopted, Centre gives 60 per cent of the funds and state gives 40 per cent.” The AB-HWC is formulated with a 60:40 contribution ratio by the Centre and the state.
Moreover, close to 1,50,000 Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) across the country have been established with 60:40 contribution by the Centre and state under the central government-sponsored Ayushman Bharat Yojana. Based on the MoU signed between the Centre and states, the state needs to adhere to certain guidelines, including branding guidelines, formulated by the Centre to run these clinics uniformly across the country.
“Ayushman Bharat Yojana, National Health Mission, Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission are some of the best examples in this regard,” he added. Health Minister Mandaviya said that the rise in the cases of non-communicable disease is due to changing patterns in lifestyle and eating habits.
Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) are transforming the delivery of comprehensive primary health care services which are universally free and cater to all age groups from birth to death, through a continuum of care approach.
Ensuring the reach of healthcare services to the innermost regions of the nation through various initiatives, AB-HWCs have surpassed 8.5 teleconsultations via e-Sanjeevni, where nearly 4 lakh teleconsultations take place on a daily basis. Additionally, AB-HWCs have also operationalized 2-3 centres in the urban sphere under the umbrella of Urban Primary Health Centre-Health and Wellness Centre (UPHC-HWC), strengthening outpatient care, and covering a population of 15,000 to 20,000.
“With time, patterns of lifestyle are changing, people do less labour. Issues of non-communicable diseases, blood pressure, and cancer are on the rise. We have to spread awareness in public about that. The focus should be on the wellness of the people. There are over 1,17,000 Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs). The focus should be on early detection.
Timely Health Screening should be there so that people are aware of their health condition,” he said. He further stated that the Centre is studying the rising cases of heart attacks in the country.
“Heart attack cases are increasing day by day. The government is studying that. For this also, way of lifestyle, eating and drinking habits are majorly responsible. We have to focus on preventive care. Yoga and other exercises can help in reducing the number of such cases,” he said.