India’s healthcare system is undergoing a rapid digital transformation, driven by government initiatives and technological advancements. This transformation is gaining international attention, with the World Economic Forum (WEF) recently highlighting India’s potential to become a global leader in digital health. This press release was issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) on January 20, 2024.
WEF Recognizes India’s Digital Health Leadership
A WEF article titled “India Can Be a Global Pathfinder in Digital Health,” published on January 15, 2024, emphasizes India’s robust digital public infrastructure and innovative private sector as key drivers of this transformation. The article points to India’s potential to create scalable digital health models that can be adopted worldwide, emphasizing the importance of international collaboration. Key aspects highlighted by the WEF include:
- Seamless data exchange between healthcare stakeholders.
- Partnerships driving innovation and expansion.
- Leveraging digital tools for inclusive healthcare.
- India’s models serving as templates for other developing nations.
Several key initiatives are driving this digital shift:
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM): This mission aims to create a nationwide digital health ecosystem by providing every citizen with a unique Health ID (ABHA) to store and share medical records.
The ABDM also includes the Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR), the Health Facility Registry (HFR), and the Unified Health Interface (UHI), an open network for digital health services.
Significant progress has been made, with over 73 crore ABHAs created and more than 5 lakh health professionals registered as of January 20, 2025. Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat lead in ABHA adoption, with women comprising 49.15% of beneficiaries.
Over two lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have been established, facilitating early diagnosis and treatment of diseases like cancer, hypertension, and diabetes.
The National Health Authority (NHA) has partnered with IIT Kanpur to develop an AI platform for improving health outcomes under ABDM.
The Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS) provides financial incentives for healthcare providers adopting digital health solutions.
