Dr. Sunil Kumar Barnwal, IAS, Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Authority (NHA), reviewed the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) and the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) during his visit to Manipur, underscoring the Centre’s continued focus on strengthening digital health infrastructure and expanding access to affordable healthcare services across the country.

As part of the visit, Dr. Barnwal assessed the on-ground implementation of both flagship healthcare initiatives at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), Imphal, and held discussions with state health officials and healthcare providers regarding the progress of digital health adoption and health insurance coverage in the state.

The review focused on key components of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, including the creation and utilization of Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA), digitization of health records, interoperability of healthcare systems and the integration of healthcare facilities into the national digital health ecosystem. Officials also discussed strategies to enhance citizen participation and improve the accessibility of digital health services in the state.

Under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, India has emerged as one of the world’s largest digital health ecosystems. According to official data, more than 80 crore ABHA accounts have been created nationwide, while over 100 crore health records have been digitally linked through the ABDM platform. The initiative aims to create a seamless, secure and interoperable digital healthcare infrastructure that enables patients to access their health information across healthcare providers.

Dr. Barnwal also reviewed the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), the government’s flagship health assurance programme that provides annual health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family for secondary and tertiary hospitalization. Since its launch in 2018, the scheme has benefited millions of families, with more than 44 crore Ayushman cards issued and over 12 crore hospital admissions authorized across the country.

The visit emphasized the importance of strengthening healthcare delivery systems through the integration of digital technologies and health financing mechanisms. Officials discussed opportunities to improve beneficiary enrollment, expand hospital participation and accelerate digital transformation within healthcare institutions across Manipur.

Healthcare experts note that the convergence of digital health platforms and publicly funded health insurance programmes has the potential to improve healthcare accessibility, reduce out of pocket expenditure and enhance patient outcomes, particularly in geographically challenging and underserved regions.

The review reflects the government’s broader commitment to building a digitally enabled, patient centric healthcare ecosystem that combines technology, affordability and accessibility. As states continue to expand the implementation of ABDM and PM-JAY, such assessments are expected to play a crucial role in strengthening healthcare delivery and advancing India’s vision of universal health coverage.