New Delhi: In a landmark move to bolster digital health education across the nation, the National Health Authority (NHA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS). The agreement, signed in the presence of Union Health Minister J P Nadda, marks a significant step towards integrating digital health into medical curricula and advancing the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
As part of the collaboration, MUHS will introduce its Digital Health Foundation Course (DHFC) to the NHA and co-develop additional digital health programs tailored to support the roll-out of ABDM. The NHA will continue to lead government policy on the digital health landscape, aiming to develop an interoperable digital health ecosystem across the country. The MoU also outlines plans to create more digital health courses in the future.
Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda hailed the partnership as a “significant milestone” in the journey toward a more connected and effective healthcare system. “This partnership will not only enhance the skills of medical students and professionals but also drive the broader implementation of the ABDM, ultimately benefiting millions of Indians with better access to quality care,” he said.
Nadda emphasized the importance of capacity-building for health workers, particularly in implementing the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). He lauded MUHS for its proactive approach in developing a need-based course to support health worker training, noting that NHA’s efforts to bring this training to the ground level would strengthen the country’s healthcare ecosystem.
Deepti Gaur Mukerjee, CEO of the National Health Authority, highlighted the transformative potential of digital health education. “Digital Health is an evolving field, and there is a need to build awareness around it for all the stakeholders in the health ecosystem,” she said. “Our partnership with Maharashtra University of Health Sciences will accelerate the adoption of digital health solutions across India, ensuring that future healthcare professionals are well-prepared to leverage these technologies for improved patient outcomes and efficient healthcare delivery.”
Lt Gen Madhuri Kanitkar (Retd), Vice-Chancellor of MUHS, expressed pride in Maharashtra being the first state in India to introduce digital health education for all medical students. “Digital Health is at the forefront of healthcare today, and understanding its use in patient care is imperative. We look forward to supporting NHA in the national roll-out,” she remarked.
The Digital Health Foundation Course (DHFC) is designed to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge needed for digital transformation and effective ABDM adoption. Created with support from the Koita Foundation, the DHFC offers a comprehensive overview of digital health fundamentals, tailored for doctors and healthcare providers. The course content has been curated by leading doctors and subject matter experts and will be customized for stakeholders in the public health ecosystem.
The DHFC will be available to medical students, in-service doctors, and healthcare professionals through various platforms, including the Mission Karmayogi’s iGOT platform. This will provide opportunities for Digital Health certification and continuing medical education credits, ultimately aiding in the effective implementation of ABDM in various regions.