The NHA's scan and share service has been a tremendous success since its inception in September 2022, with over 24 million digital out-patient department (OPD) registrations recorded. Among the states, Uttar Pradesh stands out with over 7.8 million OPD tokens generated, showcasing the popularity and effectiveness of this digital healthcare initiative. The data from the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) dashboard on April 18 reveals insights into the distribution of OPD tokens, with Andhra Pradesh securing the second position with 4.2 million tokens and Karnataka following closely with 3.4 million tokens.
This innovative service allows patients to simplify the registration process by scanning QR codes at OPD counters and sharing their Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) number for instant registration and token generation. By streamlining the registration process, patients can avoid long queues and reduce waiting times for OPD treatment, enhancing the overall healthcare experience. Notably, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi has emerged as the leading center for generating tokens, with 1.24 million registrations recorded under the digital OPD service.
Currently, the scan and share service is accessible at 4,399 healthcare facilities in 510 districts across 33 states and union territories, excluding Mizoram, Nagaland, Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. As part of future plans, officials aim to extend this service to pharmacy counters and laboratories, further streamlining access to healthcare services and reducing patient waiting times. Additionally, utilizing the ABHA number, patients can digitally access their prescriptions, pharmacy slips, and diagnostic reports, creating a convenient and secure healthcare experience.
The ABHA ID, a unique 14-digit identification number, serves as a comprehensive digital health record for individuals, containing medical history, consultation details, prescriptions, and more. This system ensures the secure storage of all medical records in a digital locker with the individual's consent, establishing a centralized and accessible health database for improved patient care and management.