The National Health Authority (NHA) has decided to extend its Digital Health Incentives Scheme (DHIS) under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) until 31 December. Launched on 1 January, DHIS aims to incentivize hospitals, diagnostic labs, and digital health solution providers to actively participate in the transformative digitization efforts initiated by the ABDM.
The scheme has made significant strides in promoting the adoption of digital health technologies and practices across the country, according to a statement by the NHA. Positive feedback from health providers and technology companies has prompted the extension, ensuring more stakeholders can benefit from the financial incentives provided by the scheme.
The CEO of NHA emphasized the organization’s commitment to fostering a digitally inclusive healthcare ecosystem through initiatives like DHIS. The extension of the incentive scheme is a testament to NHA’s dedication to rewarding and encouraging healthcare providers for their contributions to building a digitally empowered healthcare landscape.
Under the Digital Health Incentives Scheme, eligible health facilities and digital solutions companies can earn up to ₹4 crore in incentives based on the number of digital health records linked to patients’ Ayushman Bharat Health Account numbers.
This incentive is accessible to health facilities (hospitals, diagnostic labs) and digital solution companies registered with ABDM’s Health Facility Registry (HFR) and meeting the specified eligibility criteria. The financial benefits provided to Digital Solution Companies (DSCs) are expected to result in cost reduction or be reinvested in healthcare facilities to support their digitization efforts.
As of June 2023, 1205 health facilities have registered under the DHIS, including 567 public and 638 private hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic labs. Additionally, out of the 25 digital solution companies registered, 22 are from the private sector.
The DHIS has already disbursed incentives of approximately ₹4.84 crore to around 120 health facilities and seven health tech companies. Notable recipients of the incentives include government hospitals such as AIIMS Delhi, AIIMS Raipur, AIIMS Bhopal, Lok Bandhu Rajnarayan Combined Hospital in Lucknow, and KC General Hospital in Bengaluru, as well as some private hospitals.
The extension of the DHIS will undoubtedly continue to drive the digitization efforts in the healthcare sector, promoting greater efficiency, accessibility, and inclusivity in healthcare services across the nation.
