Srikakulam – District Chosen as Andhra Pradesh’s First ABDM Model Hub
Srikakulam – Srikakulam has become the first district in Andhra Pradesh to be selected for the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission Model District programme, marking a major step towards expanding technology-driven healthcare services. The initiative is expected to improve access to digital medical records, patient registration systems and secure health information sharing across government and private healthcare facilities.
Programme launched with State and Central participation
The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission Model District and Model Facilities programme was launched in Srikakulam on Friday through a joint effort of the Andhra Pradesh Health, Medical and Family Welfare Department and the National Health Authority under the Government of India.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu inaugurated the programme virtually. State Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav, District In-charge Minister Kondapalli Srinivas and Health Commissioner KVN Chakradhar Babu also addressed the gathering through virtual participation.
Collector calls selection an important opportunity
District Collector Swapnil Dinkar Pundkar said the selection of Srikakulam as the State’s first ABDM Model District was a significant recognition for the district. He said the programme should be used to build a reliable digital healthcare system that can later serve as a reference for other districts in Andhra Pradesh.
He appealed to health officials, hospitals, doctors and partner organisations to work together for the effective rollout of the mission. According to the Collector, the project will focus on improving continuity in patient care, increasing transparency and introducing digital systems at every level of healthcare delivery.
Private hospitals asked to join digital registries
The Collector directed private medical institutions registered under the Clinical Establishments Act to enrol in the Health Facility Registry. Eligible doctors and healthcare professionals were also asked to complete registration in the Healthcare Professionals Registry.
Private hospitals have been encouraged to use ABDM-compliant Hospital Management Information Systems. These systems will allow medical institutions to maintain digital records and exchange patient information safely when required for treatment.
Officials noted that private hospitals and clinics play a central role in the district’s healthcare network. Nearly 65 per cent of health services in Srikakulam are delivered by the private sector, making their involvement essential for the success of the programme.
Digital services planned across health facilities
The ABDM initiative will introduce several digital healthcare services across the district. These include patient registration through ABHA numbers, QR code-based registration, digital outpatient and inpatient services, electronic health records and electronic prescriptions.
The programme will also support secure health information exchange between healthcare providers. Officials said the system is designed to help patients access their health details more easily while ensuring that medical information remains protected.
Andhra Pradesh reports progress in ABDM rollout
Speakers at the programme said Andhra Pradesh has already made progress in implementing the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. More than 51 million ABHA numbers have been created in the State, while over 123 million health records have been linked with ABHA accounts.
Government hospitals have also implemented services linked to the Health Facility Registry, Healthcare Professionals Registry and scan-and-register systems. The officials said these efforts have helped strengthen the use of digital health services in public healthcare institutions.
Contributors to digital health mission felicitated
Representatives from government hospitals, private healthcare institutions and partner organisations were recognised during the event for their contribution to ABDM implementation. MLA N. Eshwar Rao also spoke at the programme.
National Health Authority Directors Piyush Singla and Pankaj Kumar Arora, Andhra University representative Appala Naidu, district health officials, medical professionals and representatives of digital health organisations attended the event. Delegates from both government and private medical institutions were also present.