Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)
- Context: The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission has built one of the world’s largest digital health ecosystems, with over 104 crore health records linked to over 93 crore ABHA accounts. By eliminating paperwork and reducing waiting times, ABDM is seamlessly connecting patients to insurers, hospitals, and doctors on a single unified network.
About Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
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- Launched in 2021 to create a digital health ecosystem by providing every citizen with a unique ABHA Health ID for easy and secure access to electronic health records.
- Implemented by: National Health Authority (NHA) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Key Features:
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- ABHA ID: Unique digital health identity for every citizen.
- Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR): National database of registered healthcare professionals.Health Facility Registry (HFR): Digital directory of hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and pharmacies
- Unified Health Interface (UHI): Enables seamless access to digital healthcare services
- Data Security: Protects health data in line with the DPDP Act, 2023.
- Transparency: Improves access to services, pricing transparency, and accountability.
Major Initiatives:
- Scan & Share: QR-code-based OPD registration for faster patient check-in.
- Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS): Promotes digitisation among hospitals, labs, and health-tech providers through incentives.
- ABDM Microsites: Supports digital adoption by private healthcare providers.
- End-to-End ABDM Pilot: Develops fully digital healthcare facilities as model centres.
- New Portals: Includes the National Medical Register (NMR) and National Dental Register (NDR) for digital registration of medical and dental professionals.
Antyodaya Anna Yojana
- Context: The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has written to Prime Minister requesting a reconsideration of the legal amendment concerning the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY).
About Antyodaya Anna Yojana
- The Antyodaya Anna Yojana scheme was launched in the year 2000. Its objective is to provide food grains at subsidized rates to the poorest families in society.
- This scheme is currently implemented under the National Food Security Act, 2013.
- Antyodaya cardholders are provided with 35 kg of food grains (rice/wheat) per month at subsidized rates.
- Concerns have been raised that eligible poor families might be excluded from the scheme’s benefits due to the legal amendments.
Significance:
- Antyodaya Anna Yojana – 2000
- Prime Minister who launched it – Atal Bihari Vajpayee
- Related Act – National Food Security Act, 2013
- Objective – Ensuring food security for the poorest families.
