Raj to link med distribution with health records via iHMS integration

Jaipur: The state govt currently operates e-Aushadhi, a portal dedicated to the free distribution of medicines. However, the system is not linked to patients' Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) IDs, limiting the creation of comprehensive electronic health records (EHRs). At present, only 1.2 crore ABHA cards in Rajasthan are connected to EHRs. To bridge this gap, the govt plans to integrate medicine distribution with the Integrated Health Management System (iHMS), enabling real-time EHR generation alongside drug dispensation.

A senior health department official said, "We are finding solutions and taking measures to generate EHR and link them with patients' ABHA ID so that the patient could access all their health records, including pharmacy and treatment."

The health department generated 6.2 crore ABHA for the people of the state, but out of those, just 1.2 crore ABHAs are linked with EHRs. ABHA integrates EHRs to facilitate the storage and retrieval of patient information. If ABHA is not linked with EHR, then ABHA are just mere numbers. ABHA is a unique 14-digit number used to link all the health records of a person.

Out of 1.2 crore EHRs generated in the state, 68.6 lakh EHRs were generated using Co-win records (Covid-19 vaccination) during the Covid-19 pandemic. Besides, 34 lakh EHRs were generated using a private pharma limited, and the rest by using other platforms. Despite that, just 1.2 crore EHRs were generated.

The state govt is using the state govt's iHMS (integrated health management system) for generating ABHA cards and EHRs. Through iHMS, 1.9 crore ABHAs were generated, but just 46,095 EHRs were generated using iHMS. A senior health department official said, "We are taking measures to increase the EHRs so that people can use their health records stored electronically while going for doctor's consultation or for treatment."

The health department is taking measures to make use of iHMS to generate EHRs. iHMS is being used in govt hospitals for the registration of patients and other works, including admission and discharge of patients. The state govt is generating EHRs daily, said the official. On Tuesday, 77,150 EHRs were generated.

The health department advocates that linking all healthcare reports, prescriptions, and lab test reports in one place eliminates the requirement to carry hard copies of reports while visiting a healthcare provider. ABHA helps in easy access and tracking of health records.