New Delhi: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare released an “Explainer on Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA)” to clear out misconceptions and apprehensions related to the recent order that mandates linking of Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) beneficiary IDs with ABHA IDs.
“Ayushman Bharat Health Account is not a replacement of current CGHS services or a replacement of current CGHS HMIS. Rather it is an addition/add-on to the current services offered by CGHS,” the release clarified.
According to the government there are certain myths which needed to be clarified, such as:
- ABHA is just a health records link, not automatic Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) enrolment.
- It doesn’t replace existing services like CGHS, it adds to them.
- Patients control which health records are shared via digital consent.
- ABHA doesn’t grant government access to health data, ensuring privacy.
- Patients alone decide who can access their digital health records. Consent is necessary for any sharing.
- Protocols for government data use are still under discussion, safeguarding privacy until then.
- ABHA doesn’t store medical records. Data exchange is secure, with patients having control over their records.
- ABHA can be used outside government facilities, depending on private player discretion. Patients have the option to use alternative identifiers if preferred.
The main aim of ABHA is to ensure “transparency, accountability, and accessibility of funds allocated for healthcare services,” the release said.
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