Aarogya Setu 2.0 to Unify Health Records, Appointments, and Emergency Services
The Indian government is set to launch Aarogya Setu 2.0, a revamped mobile application that will serve as a single platform for accessing and managing healthcare services. The app will allow users to store and share medical records, book outpatient department (OPD) appointments, locate nearby hospitals, call ambulances, and access services under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. The launch is scheduled for Monday.
Originally introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic as a contact-tracing tool, Aarogya Setu has been redesigned as a personal health record application. The updated version enables users to create and manage their Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA), access and share digital health records, and register for OPD visits using a 'Scan & Register' feature. It also includes functionality for hospital payments through 'Scan & Pay', medicine reminders, and managing health records of family members.
The app will assist users in finding nearby hospitals, doctors, ambulance services, blood banks with real-time blood availability, and Jan Aushadhi Kendras (generic medicine stores). It will also provide access to Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) services, including hospital search, Ayushman Card services, treatment history, grievance redressal, and beneficiary support.
Union Health Minister J P Nadda will also unveil several other digital health initiatives. One of these is Ayushman Sarathi, a WhatsApp chatbot that will help beneficiaries check their eligibility, locate empanelled hospitals, and access key PM-JAY services through a conversational interface.
Another major initiative is the National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX), a common digital platform designed to reduce paperwork and expedite the settlement of health insurance claims. The platform will enable hospitals and insurers to exchange claims information across both public and private health insurance schemes.
Additionally, the government will launch eSushrut@Clinic, a cloud-based clinic management system developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC). This system is aimed at small private clinics and will also be made available to primary health centres, health and wellness centres, and sub-centres. The software will digitize patient registration, billing, and electronic health records. It will be offered free for the first three months, after which it will be available at Rs 299 per month for up to five users under an arrangement with the National Health Authority. Over 800 health facilities have already been onboarded on eSushrut@Clinic, while the full-fledged eSushrut hospital management system has been deployed in over 15 All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and several state government hospitals.
Officials have stated that these initiatives are expected to make healthcare services more accessible while reducing paperwork and enabling seamless exchange of health information among hospitals, laboratories, pharmacies, and insurers.
