Incentives have always been a great way of increasing the adoption of new technologies in their initial stages. To accelerate the adoption of digital health technologies in India, the National Health Authority (NHA) launched a Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS).
DHIS provides financial incentives to healthcare facilities, labs and digital solution companies to adopt Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)-enabled digital health solutions.
The scheme was launched on 1st January 2023 with an outlay of ₹50 crores for six months. In August, the NHA extended the scheme to 31 December 2023. As of September 2023, over 1300 healthcare facilities and 25 digital solution companies have registered under the DHIS.
To better understand how DHIS is helping NHA scale its ABDM efforts, All Health Tech spoke to Vikram Pagaria, Joint Director at NHA, and his team. Here’s what they shared:
Q: Has DHIS motivated healthcare providers to adopt digital health records?
A: These incentives are intended to encourage the adoption of transformative digitization in healthcare delivery and contribute to building a digitally empowered healthcare ecosystem.
There’s definitely an upward trend for facilities to start and enrol under the ABDM ecosystem. However, the integration of diverse systems, such as electronic health records, telemedicine platforms, and health insurance databases, can be complex. Ensuring interoperability and data integration across different systems remains a significant challenge.
Organisations often have existing decision-making processes, tools, and systems in place. Integrating ABDM into these existing structures can be complex. Compatibility issues and the need for process redesign pose significant challenges. This issue is undertaken through policy changes, technical guidelines, and collaborative efforts with technology vendors.
Improvement in terms of infrastructure development is also necessary and there have been significant efforts put in to improve the connectivity of remote areas, equipping the health facilities with the latest equipment and technologies. This includes enhancing internet connectivity and providing necessary hardware and software support.
So, all the steps towards adoption need to be in place (as prerequisites) for the digitalization of the health records journey.
Q: What data or metrics does the NHA collect to track the participation and impact of the Digital Health Incentive Scheme?
A: The NHA has diligently curated data pertaining to the DHIS on a publicly accessible dashboard. The source of this statistical data derives from various auxiliary systems under the purview of the ABDM. The quantification of adoption figures from these systems plays a pivotal role in the computation of incentives, such as those linked to the Scan and Share initiative and the establishment of health record linkages.
The dashboard, with unwavering accuracy, presents real-time information of the registration status of healthcare facilities, laboratories and Digital Solution Companies (DSCs). The data related to incentives is thoroughly updated with the disbursements being made, ensuring a comprehensive and up-to-date information reflection of the program’s progression and incentive-related matters.
Q: How does the NHA ensure fairness and equity in the distribution of incentives, especially in diverse healthcare settings?
A: Ensuring fairness and equity in the distribution of incentives, particularly in diverse healthcare settings, is a critical aspect of any healthcare incentive program. DHIS, in the same way, is aimed at promoting fairness and equity in the treatment incentives provided to all the stakeholders. Security, safety and fairness are automatically taken care of by the design and complete automation of the end-to-end system ensures this.
Q: Are there plans to expand or refine DHIS? If so, what enhancements are being considered?
A: Enhancements include working with more focus to incentivize insurance providers, pharmacies and private players.
