Photo Courtesy: nagalandpost
Kohima: Dimapur has been designated as Nagaland’s first model district under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). Authorities have set a four-month target to establish a fully digital healthcare ecosystem in the district. The initiative was launched by National Health Authority CEO Dr. Sunil Kumar Barnwal at a workshop held at Niathu Resort.
Barnwal stated that the ABDM marks a shift from fragmented, episodic treatment to a data-driven, preventive model. The system relies on three pillars: ABHA IDs for citizens, a Health Facility Registry, and a Health Professional Registry. These tools allow hospitals, pharmacies, and diagnostic centres to securely share medical information with patient consent. Barnwal noted, “The patient gets empowered when their entire health history, from vaccination to treatment, is accessible in one place.”
Currently, over 92 crore citizens across India hold ABHA IDs, with approximately 8.96 lakh people covered in Nagaland. Barnwal emphasized that digitisation will allow patients to receive reports and records directly on their mobile devices, improving care continuity and reducing reliance on physical paperwork. Addressing privacy concerns, he clarified that there is no central database of medical records. “The record remains with the hospital and the patient. Only the patient and the concerned healthcare provider have access to it,” he explained.
Dimapur Deputy Commissioner Dr. Tinojongshi Chang welcomed the initiative as a landmark step for accessibility and efficiency. He pledged full administrative support to help the district serve as a benchmark for the rest of the country. Officials encouraged all healthcare facilities to move beyond simple billing digitisation toward comprehensive digital record management to support future AI-based healthcare solutions.
Comments