From ABHA to AI: How Ayushman Bharat digital mission is building one of the world’s largest digital health ecosystems

India’s ambitious effort to build a nationwide digital health ecosystem has reached a significant milestone, with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) emerging as one of the largest digital health networks in the world. The mission, launched to create a seamless and interoperable digital healthcare infrastructure, has now generated more than 93.95 crore Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) numbers and linked over 105 crore digital health records. The achievement was highlighted during the third meeting of the Mission Steering Group (MSG), chaired by Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda. The meeting reviewed the progress made under the mission and discussed the roadmap for expanding the reach and impact of digital healthcare services across the country. Addressing the gathering, Nadda emphasised that India has successfully established a robust digital health infrastructure over the last few years. However, he stressed that the next phase of the mission must focus on maximising adoption and utilisation so that citizens, healthcare providers and institutions can fully benefit from the digital ecosystem that has been created. According to the Health Minister, digital public infrastructure has become a powerful tool for improving access to healthcare, enhancing continuity of treatment and empowering citizens through secure access to their health records. He noted that technology must continue to serve as a key enabler in India’s journey towards Universal Health Coverage while ensuring healthcare remains inclusive, accessible and citizen-friendly. What is the Ayushman Bharat digital mission? The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission was launched by the Government of India as a key component of the country’s broader digital transformation agenda. The mission aims to create an integrated digital healthcare ecosystem that connects patients, healthcare providers, hospitals, laboratories, pharmacies and government health programmes through a common digital framework. At the heart of the mission is the concept of interoperability. Traditionally, health records in India have been scattered across hospitals, clinics and diagnostic centres, making it difficult for patients to access their complete medical history. ABDM seeks to address this challenge by creating a digital architecture that enables health information to be securely shared across healthcare providers with the consent of patients. The mission functions as a Digital Public Infrastructure for healthcare, similar to how Aadhaar transformed identity verification and how UPI revolutionised digital payments. By establishing common digital standards and platforms, ABDM aims to simplify healthcare delivery and improve patient experiences across the country. The significance of ABHA IDs One of the most important components of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission is the Ayushman Bharat Health Account, commonly known as ABHA. The ABHA number serves as a unique digital health identifier for every individual. It allows citizens to create and maintain a longitudinal health record that can be accessed across different healthcare providers with their consent. The generation of more than 93.95 crore ABHA IDs represents a remarkable achievement in India’s healthcare digitisation journey. It means that a substantial portion of the country’s population is now connected to the national digital health ecosystem. For patients, ABHA IDs eliminate the need to repeatedly carry physical documents and medical records. Health information can be securely stored and accessed digitally, improving continuity of care and enabling better clinical decision-making. The widespread adoption of ABHA IDs also lays the foundation for a future where healthcare becomes more personalised, efficient and data-driven. Over 105 crore digital health records linked Beyond the creation of ABHA IDs, the mission has also made significant progress in linking digital health records. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, more than 105 crore digital health records have been connected to the ABDM ecosystem. These records include information related to consultations, diagnoses, prescriptions, laboratory reports and other healthcare interactions. The ability to maintain comprehensive digital health records offers several benefits. Patients can access their medical history from different healthcare providers through a single platform. Doctors can make more informed decisions based on complete health information rather than fragmented records. Healthcare providers can avoid duplication of tests and procedures, improving efficiency and reducing costs. The linking of over 105 crore records demonstrates the growing acceptance of digital healthcare systems among healthcare institutions and citizens alike. Building a National Digital Health Network A key objective of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission is to create a nationwide network of healthcare facilities and professionals. The mission has already registered more than 5.33 lakh health facilities and nearly 9.85 lakh healthcare professionals on national digital health registries. These registries serve as trusted databases that help patients identify verified healthcare providers and institutions. The participation of such a large number of hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centres and healthcare professionals indicates the scale at which the digital health ecosystem is expanding. The registries also contribute to transparency and accountability by creating standardized records of healthcare institutions and practitioners across the country. As more facilities and professionals join the platform, citizens gain greater access to trusted healthcare services through digital channels. Transforming Patient Experience Through Technology One of the most visible outcomes of ABDM has been the improvement in patient convenience. The Health Ministry reported that nearly 24 crore Scan & Register tokens have been generated under the mission. This feature allows patients to quickly register for outpatient department (OPD) services using digital tools, reducing waiting times and simplifying hospital visits. Traditionally, patients often spent considerable time completing registration procedures and managing paperwork. Digital registration systems help streamline these processes, making healthcare access faster and more efficient. The Scan & Register feature also supports seamless sharing of health information between healthcare providers with patient consent, reducing administrative burdens and improving continuity of care. Such innovations demonstrate how digital tools can improve everyday healthcare experiences for millions of citizens. The expansion of ABDM is also evident in the growing number of healthcare institutions adopting digital health solutions. According to official figures, more than 2.72 lakh healthcare facilities have adopted ABDM-enabled software. These software solutions facilitate digital record management, interoperability and secure data exchange. The adoption of standardized digital platforms is critical for ensuring that healthcare information can [...]