Bhubaneswar: Union Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel, Dharmendra Pradhan has requested Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to implement the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) and Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) programmes in Odisha.
In a letter to the CM on Friday, the Union minister said NDHM, which was launched by the Prime Minister on August 15, will leverage the power of technology to ensure the wellbeing for all citizens including poor migrants of Odisha.
NDHM has proposed to introduce a Unique Healthcare ID (UHID) for every citizen. The UHID will be a repository of all health-related information of a person such as medical tests, previous prescriptions, diagnosis and treatments undergone.
“This portable and nationwide UHID will liberate citizens from the challenges of finding doctors in different locations, seeking appointment with them, payment of consultation fee, making several visits for prescription sheets, etc. and will empower them to take informed decisions for availing the best possible healthcare services,” Dharmendra wrote.
“In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the nationwide portability Of UHID will greatly benefit migrant workers who will be able to digitally access all their health records anywhere in the country while seeking medical treatment. Apart from this, the mission will also be a major stride towards the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.8 of Universal Health Coverage, including financial risk protection,” he added.
The minister informed that the NDHM will be developed and implemented by National Health Authority (NHA), the attached office of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the apex central government agency responsible for the implementation of the AB-PMJAY.
He also stated that the NDHM when integrated with the ABPMJAY will be able to offer maximum benefit to the states. The mission aims to cover 50 crore beneficiaries in the country including over 60 lakh beneficiaries in Odisha, he added.
Dharmendra requested the CM to “extend whole-hearted support” to the implementation of the NDHM, which will provide timely and efficient access to inclusive, affordable, and safe healthcare to the people of Odisha.
