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Collaboration Aims to Integrate Digital Health into Medical Curricula and Strengthen Healthcare Ecosystem
New Delhi, August 14, 2024 – In a significant move towards advancing digital health education across India, the National Health Authority (NHA) and Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The partnership, witnessed by Union Health Minister Shri J P Nadda, is poised to transform the medical education landscape by embedding digital health principles into the curricula, thus laying the groundwork for a more connected and efficient healthcare ecosystem.
“This partnership marks a significant milestone in integrating digital health education into medical curricula and laying the foundation for a more connected and effective healthcare ecosystem,” said Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda during the MoU signing ceremony. He emphasized the collaboration’s potential to enhance the skills of medical students and professionals, driving the broader implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). “This will ultimately benefit millions of Indians with better access to quality care,” he added.
The agreement outlines the inclusion of the Digital Health Foundation Course (DHFC) developed by MUHS, which offers comprehensive insights into the fundamentals of digital health for doctors and healthcare providers. This course is expected to serve as a crucial educational tool in preparing healthcare professionals for the digital transformation of India’s healthcare system under ABDM.
Smt. Deepti Gaur Mukerjee, CEO of NHA, highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating, “Digital Health is an evolving field, and there is a need to build awareness around it for all stakeholders in the health ecosystem. Our partnership with MUHS will play a transformative role in accelerating the adoption of digital health solutions across India, ensuring that future healthcare professionals are well-prepared to leverage these technologies for improved patient outcomes and efficient healthcare delivery.”
The DHFC, curated with inputs from leading doctors and subject matter experts, is designed to provide healthcare professionals with the knowledge needed to effectively implement digital health practices in their daily work. The course will be available to medical students, in-service doctors, and other healthcare professionals through various platforms, including the iGOT platform under Mission Karmayogi, offering opportunities for Digital Health certification and continuing medical education credits.
Lt Gen Madhuri Kanitkar (Retd), Vice-Chancellor of MUHS, expressed pride in making Maharashtra the first state in India to introduce Digital Health education for all medical students. “Digital Health is at the forefront of healthcare today, and understanding its use in patient care is imperative in this era. We look forward to supporting NHA in the national roll-out,” she remarked.
The partnership also signals a commitment to the ongoing development of additional Digital Health programs tailored to the needs of the public health ecosystem, as proposed by the NHA. This collaboration is expected to significantly contribute to the success of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission by equipping healthcare workers with the skills necessary to navigate and thrive in a digitized healthcare environment.
Background on Digital Health in India
Digital Health is increasingly recognized as a catalyst for transforming India’s healthcare sector. Launched on September 27, 2021, by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) aims to create a robust digital health ecosystem through collaboration between public and private sectors. By integrating healthcare entities such as hospitals, clinics, labs, pharmacies, and insurance companies, ABDM seeks to improve patient care, accessibility, and affordability. The success of ABDM hinges on extensive training and awareness among healthcare professionals, making initiatives like the NHA-MUHS partnership crucial to achieving these goals.
The MoU signed today is a forward-thinking step towards building a digitally literate healthcare workforce, equipped to meet the challenges of tomorrow’s healthcare landscape.
