The Central government introduced the Abha card scheme to provide doctors with easy access to patients' medical history. The National Commission for Medical Sciences has emphasized the potential significance of the Abha card in enhancing the healthcare system. The Commission has mandated that all government and private medical colleges and their affiliated hospitals register patients in both outpatient and inpatient departments. Consideration of patient numbers and available treatment facilities in hospitals is crucial for decisions regarding expanding seats in medical colleges, establishing new colleges, student admissions, and annual renewals. This necessitates valid patient registration. Therefore, during the 14th meeting of the National Medical Science Commission, it was decided that patients seeking treatment in outpatient, inpatient, accident, and emergency departments of government and private medical colleges and their affiliated hospitals must pre-register with an Abha card. Abha card registration will be mandatory for the academic year 2025-26. The Commission has emphasized that no patient should be denied treatment for lack of an Abha card. The Abha card serves as a digital health card containing the patient's health record. It includes comprehensive health details of the patient. With this card, doctors can instantly access the patient's medical history. Similar to the Aadhaar card, it features a 14-digit number enabling doctors to access the patient's entire medical history. All information regarding the patient's medical treatments, hospital visits, tests conducted, medications prescribed, health conditions, and health insurance details will be digitally stored on this card. This ensures easy online access for citizens to their medical records, reports, receipts, and prescriptions, eliminating concerns about misplaced documents.
