Digital Healthcare
Definition
- Digital health refers to the use of technology, such as apps, telemedicine, electronic health records (EHR), and wearable devices, to improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.
Government Initiatives
- Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM): Launched in 2021, ABDM aims to create a digital health ecosystem by providing unique health IDs, healthcare facility registries, and digital health records for citizens.
- eSanjeevani: A government-backed telemedicine service that offers remote healthcare consultations. It has been instrumental in providing care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- CoWIN Platform: Used for managing and tracking COVID-19 vaccinations, this digital initiative was a key success in handling the mass vaccination drive in India.
Challenges
- Digital Divide: A significant portion of India’s rural population lacks access to smartphones, internet, or digital literacy, which hinders the spread of digital health services.
- Data Privacy: With the growing use of EHR and health apps, concerns around patient data privacy and security have emerged, especially in the absence of a strong data protection law.
- Infrastructure: Many healthcare providers lack the digital infrastructure needed for seamless integration of telemedicine and EHR systems.
Private Sector Role
- Startups: Companies like Practo, 1mg, PharmEasy, and Medlife are playing a key role in providing online doctor consultations, medicine delivery, and diagnostic services.
- Healthcare Apps: Apps like Aarogya Setu (COVID-19 tracking), CureFit (health and wellness), and Bajaj Health (teleconsultations) have further expanded healthcare accessibility.