NHA Organised First Hackathon for Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission in Pune

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) Hackathon series sought to unite a diverse spectrum of innovators, developers, and data experts to collaboratively devise innovative solutions that resonate with the mission's core objectives.

The National Health Authority (NHA) has taken a significant stride in the digital transformation of healthcare with its inaugural hackathon under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission Hackathon Series. The event, held from July 14th to 17th, 2022, unfolded in a hybrid format at the Smart City Operations Centre in Pune, Maharashtra. This hackathon, conducted in collaboration with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pune Smart City Development Corporation Limited (PSCDCL), signified a major step towards fostering innovation and driving the advancement of healthcare services.

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) Hackathon series targeted to bring together a diverse array of innovators, developers, and data experts to collaboratively create novel solutions that align with the mission's objectives. The event in Pune saw the convergence of both physical and virtual participants, showcasing their collective dedication to building transformative solutions.

Dr. R.S. Sharma, former CEO of NHA, emphasized the significance of the hackathon, drawing parallels with the success of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). He stated, "Similar to the role played by UPI, the Unified Health Interface will act as a market enabler and will provide multiple health services. It is a unique attempt to build interoperability between healthcare providers and facilitate the exchange of healthcare data - ultimately making quality healthcare accessible and affordable for all."

Dr. Sharma elaborated on the broader goals of the hackathon, stating, "This hackathon is the first in a series that we plan to conduct. It aims to encourage the young talent in our country to contribute to the enhancement of the building blocks of our digital healthcare ecosystem and create innovative solutions for India and the world."

The hackathon was organised to bring together individuals and organisations to develop innovative solutions that align with the mission's goals. The hackathon offered a tentative prize pool of Rs. 60,00,000 for 'Round 1 '“ Kickstarting UHI'. An independent jury assessed the solutions, with prizes awarded to the top performers in each challenge track.

Innovation Track:'¯This challenge invited innovative solutions to power digital health within an open network. The focus included a range of use cases such as teleconsultation, ambulance booking, lab tests, physical consultation booking, and lab test booking

Integration Track:'¯This challenge aimed to accelerate the development of applications compatible with the UHI, integrating these applications with those of other participants. This integration is pivotal for enabling digital health transactions within the UHI network.

The event in Pune was merely the first chapter in a series of hackathons that will continue to catalyse advancements in India's digital healthcare ecosystem. With a mission to foster innovation, create novel solutions, and empower India's youth, the ABDM Hackathon series is poised to become a driving force in the evolution of healthcare delivery, both within the nation and on a global scale.