Centre Extends DHIS by a Year Till June 2025 to Digitise Patients’ Health Record

Current Context: The central government has extended the Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS), which aims to digitize patients’ health records and link them with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Account (ABHA ID).

• Here are the key points:
• Scheme Extension: The DHIS, launched on January 1, 2023, will now remain in effect until June 30, 2025.
• Incentives: Under the scheme, government and private hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, diagnostic labs, and pharmacies receive Rs 20 for each additional record they digitize, beyond the threshold of 100 transactions per month.
• Applicability: The scheme applies to both public and private hospitals and digital solution companies (DSCs) creating digital health records.
• Incentive Cap: Each facility or DSC can earn incentives up to Rs 4 crores.
• Purpose: The DHIS aims to promote digital health transactions and incentivize providers to adopt digital health solutions.
• Impact: By reimbursing hospitals for digitization expenses, the scheme addresses a significant bottleneck in transitioning to digital health. Hospitals need to install computers, laptops, internet connections, and software (HMIS/LMIS) to go digital.
• Positive Results: The extension reflects the scheme’s success in encouraging health facilities to embrace essential digital prerequisites for their operations.

Question:

1 What is the main goal of the Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS)?

• A) To provide free healthcare to all citizens
• B) To digitize patients' health records and link them with ABHA IDs
• C) To offer financial aid to hospitals for new buildings
• D) To train doctors on new medical technologies

Answer: B) The central government has extended the Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS), which aims to digitize patients’ health records and link them with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Account (ABHA ID).