Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)

Introduction

Launched on 27th September 2021 under National Health Mission by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
National Digital Health Blueprint to create seamless, interoperable, citizen-centric digital health ecosystem
Vision: “One Nation – One Health Card” through unique Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) for lifelong longitudinal health records

ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account): 14-digit unique digital health ID (personal & family-linked)
ABHA Address: For consent-based data sharing (@abdm)
Health Professional Registry (HPR) & Health Facility Registry (HFR): Verified registries of doctors/facilities
Personal Health Records (PHR): EHR standards compliant; patient-owned, consent-driven
National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX): For seamless insurance/PM-JAY claims
Scan & Share, ABDM App, eSanjeevani integration: QR-based OPD, telemedicine

ABHA generation at birth (linked to U-WIN, JANANI portal, birth registration)
Longitudinal tracking of child from newborn to 18 years: growth charts, vaccination, nutrition, developmental milestones
Seamless continuity of care across Anganwadi → school → DEIC → tertiary centres
Reduces duplication of investigations, prescriptions and follow-up visits
Real-time access to previous records in emergencies (e.g., anaphylaxis history, congenital heart disease, epilepsy)

RBSK 2.0 (2026): Digital health cards, real-time data tracking of 4Ds screening; direct linkage to ABHA for referral & follow-up
U-WIN (Universal Immunization): All vaccination records auto-linked to child’s ABHA; zero-dose tracking, reminders, booster compliance
JANANI Portal (2026): QR-enabled digital Mother & Child Protection Card; antenatal → neonatal → immunization continuum
POSHAN Tracker & ANMOL App: Growth, nutrition & anemia data synced to ABHA
RKSK & School Health: Adolescent health records (mental health, NCD risk) integrated for life-course approach

Mandatory ABHA linkage for all pediatric consultations (OPD/IPD)
Create/update EHR: prescriptions, growth parameters, developmental screening (ASQ/BAI), lab reports
Telepediatrics via eSanjeevani: follow-up of rural/high-risk neonates, chronic illnesses
DEIC/SNCU/pediatric OPD: multidisciplinary records (physio, speech therapy) stored centrally
Private practitioners: Link clinic to HFR/HPR; earn incentives under Digital Health Incentive Scheme
Research & surveillance: Aggregate anonymised data for VPD outbreaks, stunting trends, developmental delay epidemiology

From March 2026: All AB PM-JAY & government hospitals must use ABDM-enabled HMIS with ABHA-linked EHR
Consent workflow: Parents/guardians generate/link ABHA for <18 years
Benefits: Faster referrals, reduced OOP expenditure, improved compliance (vaccination >95% in linked districts)
Challenges: Digital divide in rural areas, data privacy (consent mandatory), training of frontline workers

88 crore ABHA created; integration with RBSK 2.0, JANANI, U-WIN completed
ABDM Index & SAHI (Strategy for AI in Health) for predictive analytics in child health
Focus on newborn ABHA at delivery points; full lifecycle coverage under RMNCH+A
Pediatricians as key stakeholders: drive ABHA creation during routine immunization/well-baby visits