Digital Health Incentives Scheme

Context:

The central government has given a year-long extension to the Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS) meant for digitising patients’ health records and linking them with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Account (ABHA ID).

Relevance:

GS II: Health

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Digital Health Incentives Scheme (DHIS)
2. About Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission

Digital Health Incentives Scheme (DHIS)

• The Digital Health Incentives Scheme (DHIS) is a pioneering initiative aimed at accelerating the adoption of digital technologies in the healthcare sector.
• This scheme operates with the objective of creating a digitally inclusive healthcare ecosystem that aligns seamlessly with the broader vision of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.
• By incentivizing hospitals, diagnostic labs, and digital health solution providers, the DHIS seeks to catalyze transformative digitization practices for enhanced healthcare delivery.

Here are the key aspects of the scheme:

Scheme Focus and Purpose:

• Transformation through Digitization: The DHIS is designed to encourage and reward hospitals, diagnostic labs, and registered Digital Solution Companies (DSCs) that embrace advanced digitization practices in their operations.
• Digital Healthcare Ecosystem: The scheme contributes to the larger mission of creating a digitally enabled healthcare ecosystem, in line with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission’s overarching vision.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Health Facilities and DSCs: Hospitals, diagnostic labs, and digital health solution providers that are registered under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission’s Health Facility Registry (HFR) are eligible to participate in the DHIS.

Incentive Structure:

• Incentive Calculation: Financial incentives are determined based on the number of digital health records generated and successfully linked to the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) numbers of patients.

Achievements and Participation:

• Incentive Recipients: As of June 2023, a notable total of 1205 health facilities have successfully enrolled in the DHIS. This inclusive participation encompasses both public and private entities, with 567 representing public hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic labs, and 638 from the private sector.
• Digital Solution Companies: The DHIS has garnered substantial interest from digital solution companies, with 22 out of the 25 registered entities operating in the private sector. This diverse participation underscores the robust engagement of the private industry in driving digital transformation.

About Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission:

• Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission will help connect digital health solutions across the country.
• All Indians will get a digital health ID under this scheme.
• Every citizen’s health record will now be digitally secure.
• The health ID will be used as health account.
• Personal health records can be linked to this account and viewed with the help of a mobile application.
• Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission will provide reliable data, leading to better treatment and savings for patients too.
• The National Health Authority (NHA) will be the implementing agency of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).

-Source: Indian Express