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What is the Meaning of NDHM From a Patient-Centred Perspective?

TeamAckoJan 23, 2024

Managing healthcare information and reports can be hectic if you have a lot of data to keep track of due to personal or professional reasons. If you can have everything under one roof, accessing the data becomes easy and hassle-free. Hence, to ease your accessibility, the Indian government recently introduced the concept of NDHM or National Digital Health Mission, to digitise health data storage.

So, if you are a patient with several health records and are not sure how to manage all your health information, this article will help in getting a detailed idea about the same. Continue reading to learn in detail about the meaning of NDHM with its objectives, different components, benefits, and more.

Contents

What is NDHM?
What is the Objective of NDHM?
What are the Components of the NDHM Framework?
What are the Benefits of NDHM for Patients?
How to Get an NDHM Card?
Final Takeaway
Frequently Asked Questions

What is NDHM?

National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) is a project launched by the Prime Minister of India on 15th August 2020. This is a digital healthcare ecosystem whose main goal is to provide healthcare data efficiently and safely to people across India. The data involved covers both public health and personal health information.

What is the Objective of NDHM?

Now that you know what NDHM means, scroll through to learn about some important objectives of NDHM.

With the consent of individuals, NDHM maintains high-quality international health records for them. This facilitates easy sharing of records among patients, healthcare professionals, and service providers.
Encourage the widespread use of digital health cards among citizens. These cards contain reliable information about medical experts, healthcare workers, institutions, clinics, pharmacies, and medications.
Advocate the adoption of open standards by national digital healthcare stakeholders to ensure consistency and compatibility in the digital healthcare system.

What are the Components of the NDHM Framework?

The following highlights the different components included in the patient-centric NDHM framework:

Health ID

It is important to standardise how we identify individuals in healthcare. The Health ID will uniquely identify people, confirm their identity, and share their health records with their permission.

Health Facility Registry (HFR)

This registry includes both private and public health facilities such as clinics, imaging centres, hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, and pharmacies. Being part of HFR makes it easier to connect to India’s digital health system.

Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR)

This registry includes detailed information on all healthcare professionals, in both traditional and modern medicine systems, who provide healthcare services.

Personal Health Record (PHR)

PHR is an electronic record of health information. It gathers data from various sources and is controlled by the individual, allowing them to manage and share their health-related information.

Electronic Medical Records (EMR)

The EMR web app is like a digital version of a patient’s chart. It contains medical and treatment history from a single health facility.

What are the Benefits of NDHM for Patients?

After getting a clear idea regarding the meaning of NDHM, you might be curious about the benefits this mission provides. Here are the different benefits of NDHM for patients:

Records Patient History

Patients often tend to forget details about their past health conditions and struggle to bring past reports. This is especially problematic for individuals suffering from chronic conditions like diabetes or arthritis. Knowing a patient’s history is crucial for providing good care. Though no specific statistical data for India is available, NDHM records a patient’s history and thus helps in providing a better care facility.

Fragmented Paper Reports

Many patients’ reports are in scattered paper documents that are hard to share digitally. Some doctors write prescriptions on paper, which can easily get lost. In such cases, NDHM addresses this issue to ensure that all necessary information is available under one roof and they can continue giving better care facilities to all.

Easily Access Digital Healthcare Services

NDHM aims to enhance digital health services through the United Health Interface. This interface helps individuals access digital healthcare services such as telemedicine by contacting doctors of their choice.

Once you have a detailed idea of the benefits of NDHM, you might be curious to know how to get an NDHM card. Well, we have discussed it in the next section.

How to Get an NDHM Card?

After knowing the meaning of NDHM, if you are interested in getting an NDHM card, you can apply for it with the help of your Aadhaar card, Driving Licence or mobile number by following the simple steps stated below.

Using Aadhaar Number

Step 1: Visit the official website of NDHM.

Step 2: Click on ‘Generate ID’ and select ‘Generate via Aadhaar’.

Step 3: Enter your Aadhaar number and submit.

Step 4: Verify your identity with the OTP sent to your linked mobile number.

Step 6: Finally, download your NDHM Card.

Using Driving Licence

Step 1: Visit the NDHM site, and click ‘Generate ID’.

Step 2: Select ‘Generate via Driving Licence’, enter your licence number, and submit.

Step 3: Receive an enrolment number.

Step 4: Visit a nearby participating facility with your Driving Licence for verification.

After verification, you will get your NDHM card number and address via SMS or email.

Using Mobile Number

Step 1: Visit the NDHM site, and click ‘Generate ID’.

Step 2: Choose ‘Generate via Mobile Number’, enter your mobile number, and submit.

Step 3: Verify your identity with the OTP sent to your mobile.

After verification, follow the remaining steps similar to the Driving Licence option.

Final Takeaway

Now that you know the meaning of NDHM and its transformative impact on healthcare in India, consider taking a step towards the future of digital healthcare by applying for this mission. This initiative is revolutionising how health information is managed and accessed, putting control in the hands of individuals.

Furthermore, you must consider applying for a health insurance plans to complement the benefits of the health ID card. As we embrace this digital evolution, you need to recognize the importance of safeguarding your health and well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few common questions and answers related to the meaning of NDHM

What are the eligibility criteria to apply for NDHM?

To be eligible for NDHM you need to be a citizen of India and possess all the necessary documents required to submit during the application process.

What are the documents required to apply for NDHM?

Enrolling for an NDHM card is a virtual and paperless process, meaning you do not have to submit any physical documents. However, during online registration, you will be asked to provide details from your Aadhar card or driving licence for sign-up.

Is getting an NDHM card mandatory?

No, the government of India has not mandated obtaining an NDHM card. However, it is encouraged because having an NDHM card comes with several benefits for patients. Additionally, it helps the government in monitoring patient medical data and preventing malpractice.

Is the ABHA card the same as the NDHM card?

Yes, the ABHA card is essentially the digital health ID provided under the patient-centric NDHM framework. It functions as a secure means for individuals to access and manage their health data electronically.

How can you download your NDHM card online?

You can download your NDHM card online in two ways which are mentioned below:

Visit the NDHM website or use the ABHA mobile app (if available) to log in to your account
Download the app from the PlayStore, log in with your credentials, and access your ABHA card through the app.

What are the main pillars of the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM)?

The main pillars of the NDHM are Health ID, Patient Health Records, Electronic Medical Record (EMR) web app, and Health Facility Registry.

Is it mandatory to understand the meaning of NDHM before applying for the card?

While it is not mandatory, understanding the meaning of NDHM is beneficial for applicants. It provides insights into the mission's goals, emphasising the empowerment of individuals in managing their health records and accessing digital healthcare services.