Uttar Pradesh Leads Digital OPD Registrations at 7.8 Mn, TN Registers Only 94 So Far

In terms of healthcare facility rankings, Uttar Pradesh boasts 14 of the top 25 facilities with the highest OPD registrations, followed by five in Andhra Pradesh.

The National Health Authority's (NHA) scan and share service, a component of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), has marked a significant achievement by recording over 24 million digital out-patient department (OPD) registrations since its launch in September 2022.

Uttar Pradesh leads the tally with more than 7.8 million OPD tokens generated, followed by Andhra Pradesh with 4.2 million tokens and Karnataka with 3.4 million tokens.

Interestingly, Jammu and Kashmir has bagged the fourth spot with 3.2 million digital OPD tokens followed by Delhi with 1.7 million tokens generated.

However, the adoption of Digital OPD scan and share service remains lowest in the Southern state of Tamil Nadu. So far, the state has reported only 94 OPD tokens issued, followed by Himachal Pradesh (281 tokens), Sikkim (690 tokens), and Kerala (921 tokens).

Despite these variations, the scan and share service has emerged as a valuable tool for patients, allowing them to scan QR codes at OPD registration counters and instantly generate their Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) number, thus bypassing long queues and reducing waiting times.

Healthcare Institutions Leading the Digital OPD Registrations

In terms of healthcare facility rankings, Uttar Pradesh boasts 14 of the top 25 facilities with the highest OPD registrations, followed by five in Andhra Pradesh.

AIIMS New Delhi, leads in OPD registrations among individual centers, with 1.24 million tokens generated.

Presently, the scan and share service is operational at 4,422 healthcare facilities across 510 districts in 33 states and union territories, excluding Mizoram, Nagaland, and the Union Territory of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

The government plans to expand the scan and share service to pharmacy counters and laboratories, aiming to further streamline patient access to healthcare services. So far 72,016 pharmacy tokens have been generated under the scheme.

Digital OPD launched by the Indian Government refers to the eSanjeevani Programme, which is the first-ever online OPD (outpatient) consultation service offered by the government of India to citizens.

This initiative aims to provide accessible and convenient healthcare services to people, especially during the pandemic, by leveraging digital technology.

Apart from the Scan and Share facility, the eSanjeevani Programme offers telemedicine services, enabling patients to consult with healthcare providers remotely, and reducing the need for physical visits to hospitals.

This service is part of the broader digital health ecosystem being developed by the Indian government, which includes initiatives like the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, CoWIN App, Aarogya Setu, e-Hospital, and e-Health & Telemedicine, among others.

What is ABHA ID?

The Indian government has introduced a digital health ID Card known as ABHA, or Ayushman Bharat Health Account which provides a unique 14-digit identification code to store and manage an individual's medical records, including medical history, treatments, and consultations centrally.

The ABHA card is part of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), which aims to strengthen India's healthcare infrastructure by creating a digital health ecosystem.

The aim is to create a single-point repository of a patient's medical history so that he/she will not have to maintain or carry physical records. This will also allow physicians from any health facility to view a comprehensive medical history of patients.

The ID is linked to several govt healthcare benefits including health insurance, and discounted health services at govt facilities across India, and brings transparency in the functioning of healthcare.

By integrating ABHA-based registrations, patients will gain digital access to prescriptions, pharmacy slips, and diagnostic reports, thereby enhancing convenience and efficiency in healthcare delivery.