A strategic roadmap to the successful implementation of digital health records in India

Abstract

Digital Health Records (DHR) implementation in India involves careful planning and consideration of legal frameworks, such as HIPAA or GDPR. The DHR is being implemented in India thanks to the Ayushman Bharat Health Stack, a technology platform. Interoperability Standards, data centres, connectivity, user consent, audit trails, and regular security audits are all critical for the effective implementation of DHR in India. Health Information Exchange (HIE) is essential for successfully integrating Digital Health Records in India. It involves creating a safe framework for the transmission of medical records, adopting internationally recognized protocols, adopting standardized medical terminologies, training healthcare providers, conducting public awareness campaigns, encouraging cooperation between the Government, healthcare providers, technology suppliers, and other stakeholders, setting standards, guidelines, and policies, launching small-scale pilot projects, launching a 2.0 scalability plan, monitoring and evaluating the DHR implementation's progress, and encouraging input from patients, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders. The Union Cabinet approved the National Health Policy 2017 to create a digital health technology ecosystem, increasing access, improving quality, and lowering the cost of healthcare delivery. However, the pitfalls of the NHP 2017 included low enrolment of beneficiaries, low participation in reimbursement services, and the need for more data analytics. The GoI then came out with the Ayushman Bharat (2018-19) with the aim of 1.5 lac health and wellness centres and provision of financial protection of up to 5 lacs per year per family. To overcome these obstacles, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare constituted a committee to develop an implementation framework for the National Health Stack. The National Digital Health Blueprint (NDHB) initiative establishes an efficient, accessible, affordable, and secure national digital health ecosystem. It aims to create a system of personal health records and a Federated health data storage system based on individual informed consent. The National Health Stack (NHS) is a holistic platform integrating health I.T. with joint efforts of ministries, State, and central Government. It focuses on e-learning platforms, teleradiology and diagnostic technology, prevention, and nutritional management.