Participation in digital health ecosystem shall be optional: Harsh Vardhan

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Sunday said participation in digital health ecosystem shall be totally optional and shall never be made mandatory for individuals, while asserting that it is a "lie that those who do t become part of system shall t be allowed to access hospitals".

He said this while answering questions from his social media followers on "Sunday Samvad" platform.

Vardhan said National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) is one of most ambitious programmes of government and is set to catapult country to position of a global leader in field of digital health, according to a statement issued by Union health ministry.

"However, re are vested interests that do t want India to succeed and are spearheading a disinformation campaign against NDHM," he was quoted as saying in statement.

Allaying fears, minister clarified that it is an utter lie that those who do t become part of system shall t be allowed to access hospitals, statement said.

Those persons or institutions who are t a part of this system shall continue to enjoy access to healthcare system in exactly same manner as y are doing w.

"Participation in digital health ecosystem shall be totally optional and shall never be made mandatory for individuals," he underscored.

ambitious NDHM programme was anunced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Independence Day speech on August 15.According to programme, everyone enrolled for mission will get a health ID that will ease access to medical services.

National Health Authority (NHA), apex ncy responsible for implementation of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), has been given mandate by government to design, build, roll out and implement NDHM in country.

health ID will contain information about medical data, prescriptions and diagstic reports and summaries of previous discharges from hospitals for ailments. mission is expected to bring efficiency and transparency in healthcare services in country. 

(Im Credits:PTI)