The pandemic brought to light the stark realities of the medical facilities in our country. Facilitating and providing a better healthcare ecosystem for the citizens of India was the primary concern of the Indian government once the pandemic struck. The flagship launch of the ABHA card was an initiative to ensure that a primary health infrastructure was given to all Indian citizens. ABHA of the Ayushman Bharat Health Account was introduced in 2021 by the Prime Minister of India.

Essentially, it was a system to help digitise the healthcare facilities in India by streamlining the process. With the help of the health ID card, the glaring gap in the medical systems was to be mitigated. Healthcare in India needed to become more affordable. Additionally, it became equally vital to simplify these services across the country to promote equality and take care of the basic rights of each citizen. The ABHA card serves this purpose and was one of the most important steps taken by the government.

Benefits of Having a Health ID

India embarked on the journey to revolutionise the facilities and systems revolving around healthcare. The quality, structure, process, and affordability were among a few aspects that the 1.3 billion citizens could avail of with the health of digital health IDs. The ABHA card is a unique 14-digit number assigned to the people who apply and register for the same. Once the process is complete, the beneficiaries can store and access their medical records on this online platform. Some of the benefits of having an ABHA health ID are:

  • Empowering citizens equally – This health ID is voluntary, and any citizen who chooses to opt for it can be empowered to access the services provided in hospitals across India. At an individual level, the platform can link all documents like scans, diagnoses, prescriptions, records, etc. These can be accessed and shared on the application with healthcare providers. The portability and feasibility of the system is a paradigm shift from traditional paper trails.
  • Better Access – Registered citizens can choose to seek treatment from the list of hospitals and facilities associated with the ABHA card. Doctors can access the medical history and records once the unique ID is shared. This helps save a significant amount of time during the consultation and reduces the rate of errors and missing information during history taking.
  • Linking Insurance – A benefit of these cards is the integration of insurance providers into the system. All the updated information and scheme policies uploaded onto the platform enable seamless access to the benefits. The process of claiming the insurance is also faster due to quicker verification. The coordination between healthcare providers and other parties, such as insurance systems, can promote better continuity of care.
  • Remote services – Telephone consultations and primary care are possible with the help of digitised records. Beneficiaries can opt for remote services by uploading their details online and allowing their doctors access. The need for travel and physical monitoring is reduced when the scans and medical tests can be viewed via a unified platform.

How to Create a Health ID

The government has ensured that all citizens of India can gain access to this service without discrimination of any sort. Therefore, the application process is also streamlined and can easily happen online. Two common ways to apply and register for the ABHA card are:

  • Using the Aadhar Card/Mobile Number – Once the phone number is linked to the Aadhar card, the steps to issue a health ID become simple. Enter the OTP received on the phone via the website to obtain the unique 14-digit number. 
  • Using the Driving License – If you are creating your ID using Driving License, please note that you may be required to visit the nearest facility along with your Driving License to verify your identity.

The online steps to generate the card are:

  • Visit the official website or download the ABHA mobile app
  • Click on the 'Create my ABHA number' tab
  • Choose the method – driving license or Aadhar card/Mobile number
  • Once the OTP is received, personal details will have to be entered to register and store accurate information
  • Check and verify the details to reduce errors.
  • Log in to your account and download the ABHA card.

Conclusion

The ABHA card is a tool that comes in handy not only to access healthcare facilities regularly but also to avoid a paper trail when travelling. Each citizen of India is eligible to apply for and avail of the benefits provided by the government. Register online and maximise the potential of the upgraded Indian medical infrastructure.