Govt Launches National Medical Register to Streamline Doctor Database

This new digital platform, aimed at improving the accuracy of doctor data in India, is a key part of the healthcare reforms outlined in the National Medical Commission Act of 2019. 

In a significant move, the Central government has launched the National Medical Register (NMR), a comprehensive database of registered medical doctors, replacing the older Indian Medical Register (IMR). 

This new digital platform, aimed at improving the accuracy of doctor data in India, is a key part of the healthcare reforms outlined in the National Medical Commission Act of 2019. 

The NMR introduces several new features, including verifying a doctor’s identity by linking their profile with their Aadhaar ID, allowing for real-time tracking of applications and licenses. 

It also allows doctors to update their qualifications manually and provides a system for issuing NMR ID cards and digital certificates.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) has mandated that all doctors previously registered under the IMR must re-register with the NMR, ensuring that the data reflects the most current and accurate information available.

How Does the New Platform Help?

A key highlight of the platform is its ability to streamline the collection and verification of doctor data by integrating the Aadhaar ID. This will ensure that the details of each registered doctor are accurate and up to date. 

According to the MOHFW, future updates to the platform will include additional features such as direct integration with software systems and the ability to track continuing medical education (CME) credits. 

Moreover, doctors can also manage their qualifications and licenses directly through the portal.

Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra emphasized the importance of the NMR in creating a centralized and reliable data source on the country’s medical workforce. 

“To date, there was a lack of comprehensive data that could provide a detailed and holistic picture of aspects like total numbers of doctors in the country, those that have left the country, those who have lost their license to practice, or the numbers and details of doctors that have lost their lives,” he said.

Anupriya Patel, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the scattered nature of the current data. 

“The NMR is important as authentic data on doctors nationwide is crucial. The data on doctors to date has been scattered and needs revision, and the NMR portal will ensure that,” Patel noted.

Including Other Healthcare Professionals

While the NMR focuses on doctors, reportedly, similar online registers for paramedics and other healthcare professionals are also being planned. 

Union Health Minister JP Nadda mentioned that these additional databases would be launched to streamline healthcare professional data in the country further.

The NMR will also form part of the broader Healthcare Professional Registry (HPR), one of the core elements of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). 

Doctors registered under the NMR will have the option to be included in the HPR, further connecting them with India’s evolving digital health ecosystem.

Integration with ABDM

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), which aims to create a digital backbone for India’s healthcare sector, has received significant government funding. 

In this year's budget, the government allocated $24 million to the program, more than half the funds set aside for it in the previous year.

The NMR is a key component of this mission, providing accurate and easily accessible data on healthcare professionals. 

By linking doctors with their Aadhaar ID, the NMR ensures that doctor data is verifiable and can be accessed quickly by healthcare institutions and regulators.

This digital push is expected to lay the foundation for a more efficient and transparent healthcare system in India. 

Additionally,  NMR will also track continuing education for doctors, which is critical in maintaining high standards of medical practice.