NHA & NCG to Launch Pilot Program to Streamline Cancer Care Record Sharing

The pilot program is designed to facilitate the seamless exchange of medical records, making them accessible to doctors within the ABDM network.

The National Health Authority (NHA) of India, in partnership with the National Cancer Grid (NCG), is set to initiate a pilot program under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) to streamline the sharing of medical records for cancer care patients.

This initiative aims to improve continuity of care for patients who often need to visit multiple healthcare facilities.

The pilot program is designed to facilitate the seamless exchange of medical records, making them accessible to doctors within the ABDM network.

This is particularly important given India's high cancer burden, with 1.46 million patients diagnosed in 2022 alone. The goal is to ensure that patients receive consistent care and reduce the need for repeat tests, which can be both time-consuming and costly.

Implementation of ABDM-Enabled EMR

Key hospitals specializing in cancer treatment, including the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh, Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Jodhpur, and the National Cancer Institute in Jhajjar, will pilot the adoption of the ABDM-enabled electronic medical records (EMR) system.

This system, also known as the Health Management Information System, will enable the scanning and sharing of medical records across departments and tertiary care providers such as radiology, ENT, and respiratory units in participating hospitals.

Medical records will be shared only with patient consent using their digital health ID, the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA ID). This secure, consent-based sharing mechanism is intended to protect patient privacy while ensuring healthcare providers have access to the necessary information to provide optimal care.

Pilot Program Highlights

Speaking anonymously, an official from a participating hospital expressed optimism about the project, stating, "Cancer is one of those diseases where a patient must approach healthcare facilities repeatedly. So, the importance of longitudinal health history and keeping health records systematically is proposed to be shown by the pilot."

In May, stakeholders gathered to strategize the pilot's launch, emphasizing ABDM's potential to integrate healthcare services digitally.

This integration is expected to reduce repeat tests and patient expenses, providing significant benefits for patients with chronic diseases such as cancer, who often need to visit multiple points of care over an extended period.

"ABDM has the potential to bridge the existing silos among different stakeholders of the healthcare ecosystem through digital means. This is especially beneficial for patients with chronic diseases, such as cancer, where patients have to visit from one hospital to multiple points of care over a long time," said a representative.

The lack of standardized electronic health data when patients move between facilities often leads to repeat tests and high out-of-pocket expenses, issues the ABDM aims to address.

Broader Implications for Chronic Disease Management

The rollout of this initiative will demonstrate the ABDM's benefits to patients, hospitals, clinicians, and other stakeholders.

The outcomes of this pilot could pave the way for extending the system to benefit patients undergoing treatment for other chronic diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, and renal complications.

The NHA supports a wide range of healthcare facilities, including clinics, diagnostic centers, hospitals, laboratories, and pharmacies, in adopting the ABDM ecosystem to enhance health services for all Indian citizens.

Queries sent to a health ministry spokesperson for further details remained unanswered at the time of publication.