ABDM seeks ₹2,000 crore boost to extend digital health reach


The National Health Authority (NHA), the implementing agency for ABDM, is seeking a substantial budget allocation of approximately ₹2,000 crore (about $240 million) to extend the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission until 2030. This proposal, referred to as ABDM 2.0, is currently under government review and aims to secure significant funding for the next phase of India's digital health infrastructure development.

The initial five-year term of ABDM, launched with a budget of ₹1,600 crore, is set to conclude, having established the foundational ecosystem. The requested extension and larger budget are necessary to complete the digital infrastructure backbone, significantly increase the onboarding of healthcare facilities and citizens with ABHA IDs, and strengthen capacity-building efforts across the country.

Experts believe this extension is a timely and critical step to achieve integrated, longitudinal patient data, which is fundamental to leveraging AI for improved diagnosis and patient-centric outcomes across India.


Read the original article at https://www.livemint.com/news/ayushman-bharat-digital-mission-seeks-for-massive-fund-boost-to-extend-digital-health-initiative-11756727706666.html


Our Opinion: We are now shifting gradually into a permanent national health data infrastructure from the initial 5-year pilot project of ABDM. However, smaller healthcare facilities are vital access points but lag significantly in adopting and utilizing digital health technologies. There is a critical need for robust education that covers not only how to use digital platforms but also why. Maximizing outreach and education to these smaller facilities will accelerate India's nationwide digital health transformation and create a resilient health system for all citizens.


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