The Union Health Ministry has issued a mandate requiring the linking of Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) beneficiaries’ ID with Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID by April 30, 2024. While this directive has sparked concerns regarding potential data leaks, the Ministry assures that stringent protocols for anonymization and aggregation of data will be established. These protocols, along with guidelines for the utilization of such data, will be defined following extensive consultations with stakeholders.
According to the Ministry, once anonymization protocols are in place, government agencies will be able to utilize anonymized health records to formulate policies and interventions in the public interest. However, until these protocols are finalized, health records will not be accessed or utilized by the government.
The objective behind linking CGHS-ID with ABHA-ID is to establish a digital health identification system for beneficiaries and facilitate the storage of their digital health records. It’s important to note that the ABHA does not determine an individual’s eligibility for specific schemes, including the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).
The Ministry emphasizes that ABHA does not replace existing CGHS services or the CGHS Health Management Information System (HMIS). Instead, it serves as an additional feature to the current services provided by CGHS. This move aims to streamline health data management and enhance accessibility to healthcare services for beneficiaries.
By implementing this linkage between CGHS and ABHA IDs, the government aims to modernize health data infrastructure and improve the delivery of healthcare services to citizens. However, concerns regarding data privacy and security remain paramount, prompting the Ministry to prioritize the establishment of robust data protection measures before utilizing the linked health records for policy formulation and intervention.
