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New Delhi, September 7, 2024 — Dr. V K Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, inaugurated the National Conference on “Universal Access to Healthcare: Digital Solutions” today in New Delhi. Organized by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in collaboration with the Sankala Foundation and supported by NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the conference brought together policymakers, experts, and innovators to explore digital healthcare solutions aimed at achieving universal healthcare coverage.
Dr. Paul emphasized the critical need for a robust primary healthcare system to reduce the healthcare burden in later years, particularly through the integration of digital technologies. He outlined five guiding principles for digital health solutions: scalability, accessibility, inclusivity, ease of living, and enhancement of quality of life. He stressed that digital solutions should be designed to reduce disparities, protect human rights, and embrace traditional knowledge, all while ensuring that they are user-friendly for all citizens, including those not digitally literate.
“Digital solutions should promote an ecosystem that enhances ease of living and improves overall quality of life. We must ensure that these innovations are inclusive, democratic, and protect beneficiaries from potential cyber risks,” Dr. Paul said.
Replicating the Success of CoWIN and Aarogya Setu
Union Health Secretary Shri Apurva Chandra highlighted the Union Government’s efforts to replicate the success of the CoWIN and Aarogya Setu platforms through the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). He noted that over 220 crore vaccinations have been delivered using these platforms, and the government aims to leverage this model to enhance healthcare accessibility across India. “Our goal is to bridge the urban-rural divide in healthcare services, and digital platforms like CoWIN, TeleManas, and eRaktKosh are critical in this endeavor,” he added.
Shri Chandra also announced the upcoming launch of the U-Win portal, set to track the vaccination records and medications of over 3 crore pregnant women and 2.7 crore children born annually. He highlighted ongoing efforts to develop the National Health Claims Exchange, which will streamline insurance claims processes and increase transparency.
Digital Technologies and Universal Healthcare
Shri Bharat Lal, Secretary General of NHRC, emphasized the role of digital technologies in accelerating India’s progress toward universal healthcare. He stressed that healthcare is a basic human right and that good health is foundational to unlocking human potential. “Digital technologies hold tremendous promise for leapfrogging towards the achievement of universal healthcare,” he said, underscoring the NHRC’s involvement in addressing critical healthcare issues such as mental health and leprosy.
During the conference, a report titled Leveraging Digital Solutions for Universal Health Coverage, based on research conducted by the Sankala Foundation, was released. The report details how digital technologies can improve access to healthcare services, especially in rural and remote areas.
Technical Sessions and Expert Insights
The day-long event featured three technical sessions: “Models of Change in Healthcare,” “Future Frontiers in Digital Health,” and “Technology-enabled Universal Health Coverage.” These sessions engaged leading experts from the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), government bodies, and civil society in discussions on the future of healthcare delivery in India.
Key figures at the conference included Shri Madhukar Kumar Bhagat, Joint Secretary (E-Health), Dr. Basant Garg, Additional CEO of the National Health Authority, and Shri Girish Krishnamurthy, CEO and Managing Director of Tata MD. Innovators from civil society, start-ups, and senior officials from both the Union and state governments were also in attendance.
The conference marks a significant step towards ensuring equitable and affordable healthcare for all Indians through the power of digital solutions, aiming to transform healthcare accessibility across the nation.
