POSITION STATEMENT ON ABHA ID LINKAGE

 

Position statement suitable for discussion within IMA/local associations. 

POSITION STATEMENT ON ABHA ID LINKAGE, DIGITAL HEALTH RECORDS, AND PRIVATE MEDICAL PRACTICE

Background

Private healthcare institutions and practitioners are increasingly being encouraged to integrate with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) ecosystem through ABHA IDs, Health Facility Registry (HFR), and Healthcare Professional Registry (HPR).

While the medical fraternity supports digitization that improves continuity of care, efficiency, transparency, and patient empowerment, implementation must adequately safeguard patient privacy, professional autonomy, and medico-legal interests.

Key Concerns

1. Data Privacy and Confidentiality
   Patient health information is highly sensitive. Any digital health framework must ensure robust protection against unauthorized access, misuse, data breaches, and cyber threats.

2. Consent and Data Sharing
   Patient records should be shared only through transparent, informed, and legally valid consent mechanisms. Patients must retain meaningful control over access to their health information.

3. Allocation of Liability
   Clear statutory guidelines are required regarding liability arising from:
   • Data breaches
   • System failures
   • Software errors
   • Unauthorized access
   • Data corruption or loss

Liability should not be automatically transferred to treating doctors or healthcare facilities for failures beyond their control.

4. Data Ownership and Governance
   The ownership, custodianship, retention period, audit mechanisms, and permissible use of patient data must be clearly defined and communicated.

5. Administrative Burden
   Digital compliance requirements should not increase the documentation burden on practitioners or interfere with patient care.

Recommendations

• Adoption should be supported by clear legal, technical, and operational guidelines.
• Comprehensive cybersecurity standards should be established and periodically audited.
• Written clarification should be issued regarding medico-legal liability.
• Adequate training and technical support should be provided to healthcare providers.
• No punitive action should be initiated against practitioners during transitional implementation phases without adequate awareness and infrastructure support.

IMA's Broad Position Should be :

The medical profession supports responsible digital transformation of healthcare. However, implementation must uphold patient confidentiality, informed consent, data security, professional independence, and fair allocation of liability.

Until comprehensive safeguards and legal clarifications are issued, practitioners are advised to maintain meticulous medical records, follow existing statutory obligations, obtain appropriate patient consent wherever required, and seek written guidance from competent authorities regarding digital health data responsibilities.

The interests of patients and healthcare providers must remain equally protected within any national digital health ecosystem.

PRIVATE DOCTORS  firmly seeking clarity on privacy, consent, cybersecurity, and liability—areas that are typically of greatest concern to private practitioners.