'Pradhan Mantri Digital Health Mission' launched by PM Narendra Modi

The 'Pradhan Mantri Digital Health Mission' was launched by Prime Miniter Narendra Modi on Monday via video conference. The scheme will enable Indians to create and access digital health records.The mission, under which every Indian will get a unique 14-digit health identification (ID) number, has been renamed the Pradhan Mantri Digital Health Mission (PM-DHM). The ID will be created using an Aadhar card or the beneficiary's mobile number, and will serve as an identifier to pull relevant health records.The first objective of the scheme is to create a digital environment for healthcare via these four blocks. At a later stage, the government plans to integrate telemedicine and e-pharmacies.

"Today begins a Mission that has power to bring a revolutionary change in India's health facilities. Three years ago, on Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya's birth anniversary, Ayushman Bharat Yojana was implemented. Happy that Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission is being started nationwide from today," the Prime Minister said during the launch event.

A government official involved in the making of NDHM said the PM-DHM will act as a “one-stop solution” for all healthcare needs of the common man. It aims to develop the necessary backbone to support an integrated digital health infrastructure in the country.

Apart from bringing doctors, the government will also create a comprehensive repository of all healthcare professionals working across both modern and traditional systems of medicine. It will also create a comprehensive repository of health facilities across India, including different systems of medicine.

“It includes both public and private health facilities including hospitals, clinics, diagnostic laboratories and imaging centers, pharmacies, etc.”