Create your ABHA ID from your mobile in just 2 minutes sitting at home; Know the benefits of Digital Health Locker and will it be available abroad also?

Often, whenever we or someone in our family has to go to the doctor, the biggest headache is carrying old medical files, prescriptions and lab reports. Many times, old prescriptions get lost or are left at home, due to which the doctor faces difficulty in understanding the history of the old disease or treatment. But do you know that a digital campaign by the Government of India can end this entire problem forever? We are talking about ABHA ID (Ayushman Bharat Health Account). This is a digital health locker in which every small and big medical report like your treatment, doctor’s prescription, blood test and X-ray will be safe on your phone. Let us understand in very simple language how you can make it yourself sitting at home, what are its benefits and whether this digital card will be useful to you even while traveling abroad or not. After all, what is ABHA ID and how does it work? ABHA ID is a 14-digit Unique Health ID issued under the National Digital Health Ecosystem i.e. ABDM (Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission). Just as Aadhaar card is for your identity as a citizen of the country, similarly this ABHA card is for your medical identity in the health system of the country. When you visit a hospital, clinic or lab that is linked to this digital system, you can just share your ABHA ID instead of physically carrying your old files. As soon as your permission is given, the doctor will be able to see your complete medical history on your computer screen. Easy way to create ABHA ID from mobile sitting at home. Making this digital card is completely free and voluntary. You can easily make it from your phone by following the steps given below: 1.Visit the official portal:Step 1. Open the official website of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, healthid.ndhm.gov.in, in the browser of your mobile or computer. Or you can also download ABHA App from Google Play Store. 2.Select the means of identification: Step 2. On the homepage you will see the option of ‘Create ABHA Number’. Here you can choose between Aadhar Card or Driving License to verify your identity. (Aadhaar card option is considered the fastest and easiest). 3. Verify OTP: Step 3. After entering your identity card number, a one-time password (OTP) will be sent to your mobile phone linked to that number. Fill that OTP in the box given on the screen and submit. 4.Set your basic information and ABHA Address:Step 4. After successful verification, your profile will open on the screen. Here you have to create your unique ‘ABHA Address’ (like your UPI ID, e.g. name@abdm). 5.Download Digital Card: Step 5. Once the process is complete, your 14-digit unique ABHA ID will be generated. You can immediately download your digital health card visible on the screen in PDF format or take a printout of it. How will all the treatment data be safe in your phone? The question that comes to the mind of many people is whether their personal health data can be leaked by making this card? So the answer is – absolutely not. This system works completely on consent-driven technology. Strong Data Security: No doctor, hospital or app can see your illness, doctor’s prescription or test report information without your explicit permission. Complete control in your hands: Whenever a doctor wants to see your data, a request will come to your phone. You can decide how long the doctor is allowed to see your data and which reports. You can also block this access whenever you want. Will this digital card be useful abroad also? Clear and simple answer: No, as per the current rules ABHA ID card will not be directly useful abroad or in foreign hospitals. It is a national scheme of the Government of India, specifically designed to digitalize and strengthen India’s home health infrastructure. It can be used only in those Indian government and private hospitals, diagnostic centers and clinics that are registered with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) network. The systems of foreign hospitals are not linked to this Indian server, so they cannot access your records through this ID. However, one indirect advantage of this is that when you are traveling abroad, instead of carrying your old paper files in your suitcase, you can view all your digital reports anytime through the ABHA app on your phone and if needed, you can show your medical history to the doctor there on the screen of your phone. At a Glance: Traditional File Management vs ABHA ID Features and Benefits Old paper files/reports Digital ABHA ID card Hassle to maintain Too much (risk of prescription getting torn, wet or lost) Nil (completely secured in cloud and mobile app) Availability in emergency If forgotten at home, doctor is unable to get old history Instantly available through mobile app in any corner of the country Hospital registration Prescription standing in long queues It has to be made by just scanning the QR code at the hospital counter. Instant registration data sharing. The entire file has to be handed over to the doctor in which there is no privacy. Only selected reports are seen by the doctor with your consent. Financial coverage No free treatment is available by keeping the file. By linking it with Ayushman Bharat Yojana (PM-JAY), you can get free treatment up to ₹ 5 lakh (as per eligibility) If you have not yet created ABHA ID of yourself or your family members, then create this ABHA ID from your mobile today. Complete the easy process. It is completely safe, free and a great digital tool that saves your time and can prove to be very helpful for you in any medical emergency.