Naina Mishra

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 11

Only 35.7 per cent population of the city has been covered under the Central Government’s project of making digital health cards for the citizens of India. The Chandigarh Administration had launched the National Digital Health Mission in August last year and proposed to cover the entire population of Chandigarh within a month.

Officialspeak

We need to accelerate this mission. We held a review recently and are working on improving the target. Dr Jasbinder Kaur, Director, GMCH-32

The government has made a provision for every citizen to generate his or her health ID free of cost. As of December 6, a total of 14,15,49,620 health IDs have been created in the country, of which 4,31,813 IDs are from Chandigarh. The number makes only 35.7 per cent of the city population (12,08,000).

Only 35-40 per cent healthcare workers have created their health IDs at the Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, and the PGI.

The creation of health IDs is voluntary. However, the National Health Authority (NHA) is creating awareness among the citizens about the usage and advantages of these health IDs to ensure their maximum participation.

Dr Suman Singh, Director, Health Services, Chandigarh, said, “Health ID is a hassle-free method of accessing and sharing your health records digitally. It enables your interaction with participating healthcare providers, and allows you to receive your digital lab reports, prescriptions and diagnosis seamlessly from verified healthcare professionals and health service providers. You can opt to create a digitally secure health ID, which allows you to access and share your health data with your consent, with participating healthcare providers and payers.”

Way off target

The Chandigarh Administration had launched the National Digital Health Mission in August last year and proposed to cover the entire population of Chandigarh within a month.