NHA launches Revamped Ayushman Bharat Health Account Mobile App

National Health Authority (NHA) has announced launch of revamped Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) mobile application for better digital health interface. The digital healthcare app has been launched under flagship scheme of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).

The ABHA app, previously known as National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) Health Records app, is available for download from the Google Play Store and already has over four lakh downloads.

The updated version of the ABHA app has new User Interface (UI) and added functionalities that enable individuals to access their health records anytime and anywhere. Existing ABHA app users can also update their previous app versions to the latest one.

According to the union health ministry, the mobile application enables an individual to create an ABHA address (username@abdm), an easy to remember username that can be linked with the 14 digit randomly generated ABHA number.

It also enables users to link their health records created at ABDM compliant health facility and view them in their smartphones.

The application also allows self-uploading of physical health records in the ABDM compliant health lockers along with sharing of digital health records such as diagnostic reports, prescriptions, CoWIN vaccination certificate after the consent of an individual through the ABDM network.

Elaborating on the ABHA mobile app, RS Sharma, CEO, NHA said, “The ABHA app will be instrumental in helping citizens to create their longitudinal health records. The patients can access their health records with the help of their ABHA address in seconds which will empower them in many ways. It will enable them to save their health history on a single platform and access or share their health records anytime and anywhere without a worry of losing them. This digitisation of data exchange will ensure better clinical decision making and continuum of care.”

This application has new functionalities such as edit profile, link and unlink ABHA number (14 digit) with ABHA address. Other functionalities such as Login via face authentication or fingerprint or biometric and ability to scan QR code at the counter of the ABDM compliant facility for express registration shall also be released soon.

NHA

The National Health Authority (NHA) is the apex body responsible for implementing India’s flagship public health insurance and assurance scheme called 'Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana' and has been entrusted with the role of designing strategy, building technological infrastructure and implementation of ‘National Digital Health Mission’ to create a National Digital Health Eco-system.

NHA has been set-up to implement PM-JAY, as it is popularly known, at the national level. An attached office of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with full functional autonomy, NHA is governed by a Governing Board chaired by the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare.

It is headed by a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), an officer of the rank of Secretary to the Government of India, who manages its affairs. The CEO is the Ex-Office Member Secretary of the Governing Board.

Functions Of NHA Under PM-JAY

1. Formulation of various operational guidelines related to PM-JAY, model documents and contracts to ensure standardisation and interoperability.
2. Develop and enforce compliance with standards for treatment protocols, quality protocols, minimum documentation protocols, data sharing protocols, data privacy and security protocols, fraud prevention and control including penal provisions.
3. Develop mechanisms for strategic purchasing of health care services through PM-JAY, so as to get best return on investment made by government.
4. Create conducive conditions for strategic purchasing by preparing a list of packages and their rates and updating them from time to time using a transparent, predictable and evidence-based process.
5. Set up effective and efficient mechanisms to pay to the health care providers.