The Role of Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) in Telehealth: A New Frontier of Smart Healthcare Delivery in India

Abstract

Abstract This paper draws attention to the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA), which constitutes a pivotal element of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) implemented in India. The ABHA database functions as a centralised repository of health-related information, offering a platform for IEC initiatives aimed at increasing awareness, encouraging healthy behaviours, and disseminating public health messaging. The integration of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies has the potential to augment patient education and engagement, streamline disease prevention initiatives, and enhance health literacy. Centralized health data can help in promoting telehealth by providing health care providers with access to patient medical records, enabling them to provide remote consultations and treatments. Exploring the function of Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) in telehealth for sustainable development necessitates an interdisciplinary view of healthcare delivery in India. Telehealth, which is the use of technology to provide remote healthcare services, can increase the reach and efficacy of ABHA. The adoption and success of ABHA and telehealth in India are influenced by numerous social, economic, technological, and policy-related factors, which can be identified through an interdisciplinary research approach. Such research can inform the development of a sustainable healthcare system that capitalizes on the strengths of ABHA and telehealth to enhance the population's health and well-being in India. This paper proposes the implementation of ABHA, IEC, AI, and telehealth in India, which have the potential to transform healthcare delivery by augmenting patient care, strengthening disease prevention efforts, and encouraging healthy lifestyles. This approach can potentially save lives and reduce healthcare costs in the long run. However, the implementation of such a system may raise concerns over privacy and data security, especially in a country with a large population and limited resources for enforcing regulations and protecting sensitive information.