Implementation of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission Still a Challenge: Indu Bhushan

Bengaluru Express

Bengaluru, Feb. 13: Implementing the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) is more complex compared to fintech solutions like UPI, said Indu Bhushan, President of iLEAP and former CEO of Ayushman Bharat/National Health Authority, on Thursday. Speaking at a panel discussion on “Future of Care: Revolutionising Healthcare Through Digital Innovation & Collaboration” at GIM Invest Karnataka 25, he noted that a digital revolution in healthcare, similar to the success of fintech, could be achieved within the next five years.

Acceptability of ABDM remains a challenge, especially for hospitals in smaller cities and non-corporate healthcare facilities. However, with advancements in technology and artificial intelligence, many of these issues will be resolved, he noted.

He emphasised that digital health records will be demand-driven, with patients and insurance companies pushing for a robust digital record ecosystem. However, hospitals and doctors often resist the interoperability of digital data for fear of losing patients. “Despite their reluctance, time and demand will eventually push them to adapt,” he added.

Adding to the discussion, Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, MD & CEO of Fortis Healthcare Limited, stated that almost everything in healthcare can be digitised. “We are yet to fully understand the limitations of digital technology. The medical sector adopts technological advancements quickly, and public health policy will be a key driver of this digital revolution. This is just the beginning. Genomics, too, will transform how we perceive health and treatments. For success, public-private collaboration and a critical mass of users are essential,” he said.

Shashank ND, Co-Founder & CEO of Practo, highlighted three key benefits of technology in the healthcare sector—cost reduction, quality, and convenience. “Unfortunately, while quality has improved, the other two aspects have not seen significant progress in the digital health revolution. To fully realise the potential of digital transformation in healthcare, we must address all three components,” he noted.

The session was moderated by Sonal Asthana, Clinical Lead and Program Director, HPB and Multi-Organ Transplant Surgery at Aster Integrated Liver Care (ILC) Group & Aster Group of Hospitals.
Bengaluru, Feb. 13: Implementing the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) is more complex compared to fintech solutions like UPI, said Indu Bhushan, President of iLEAP and former CEO of Ayushman Bharat/National Health Authority, on Thursday. Speaking at a panel discussion on “Future of Care: Revolutionising Healthcare Through Digital Innovation & Collaboration” at GIM Invest Karnataka 25, he noted that a digital revolution in healthcare, similar to the success of fintech, could be achieved within the next five years.

Acceptability of ABDM remains a challenge, especially for hospitals in smaller cities and non-corporate healthcare facilities. However, with advancements in technology and artificial intelligence, many of these issues will be resolved, he noted.

He emphasised that digital health records will be demand-driven, with patients and insurance companies pushing for a robust digital record ecosystem. However, hospitals and doctors often resist the interoperability of digital data for fear of losing patients. “Despite their reluctance, time and demand will eventually push them to adapt,” he added.

Adding to the discussion, Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, MD & CEO of Fortis Healthcare Limited, stated that almost everything in healthcare can be digitised. “We are yet to fully understand the limitations of digital technology. The medical sector adopts technological advancements quickly, and public health policy will be a key driver of this digital revolution. This is just the beginning. Genomics, too, will transform how we perceive health and treatments. For success, public-private collaboration and a critical mass of users are essential,” he said.

Shashank ND, Co-Founder & CEO of Practo, highlighted three key benefits of technology in the healthcare sector—cost reduction, quality, and convenience. “Unfortunately, while quality has improved, the other two aspects have not seen significant progress in the digital health revolution. To fully realise the potential of digital transformation in healthcare, we must address all three components,” he noted.

The session was moderated by Sonal Asthana, Clinical Lead and Program Director, HPB and Multi-Organ Transplant Surgery at Aster Integrated Liver Care (ILC) Group & Aster Group of Hospitals.

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