NHA and MUHS forge agreement to advance digital health education across India

New Delhi: To enhance digital health education in India, the National Health Authority (NHA) and Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to integrate digital health into medical training. The agreement, announced on August 13, 2024, marks a step towards building a more connected and efficient healthcare ecosystem in the country.

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda highlighted, “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.”

The MoU facilitates MUHS’s provision of its Digital Health Foundation Course (DHFC) to NHA. This course, developed with support from the Koita Foundation, offers a comprehensive introduction to digital health principles for doctors and healthcare providers. It is expected to play a crucial role in preparing healthcare professionals for the digital transformation of the healthcare sector and the adoption of ABDM.

Nadda further expressed, “To ensure that our health workers can effectively implement Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), their time-to-time capacity-building is needed. This MoU will not only pave the way for their capacity-building but also contribute to the digital teaching landscape in the country.” Nadda commended MUHS “for coming forward to create a ‘need-based’ designed course to ensure the capacity-building of the health workers” and added that “NHA will take it to the ground level that will help in the strengthening of the healthcare ecosystem in our country.”

Deepti Gaur Mukerjee, CEO of NHA, stated, “Digital Health is an evolving field and there is a need to build awareness around it for all the stakeholders in the health ecosystem. Our partnership with Maharashtra University of Health Sciences will play a transformative role in accelerating 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, noted, “Digital Health is at the forefront of healthcare today, and understanding Digital Health and its use in patient care is imperative in this era. It is a proud moment for MUHS to make Maharashtra the first state in India to introduce Digital Health for all medical students. We look forward to supporting NHA in the national roll-out.” 

The Digital Health Foundation Course will be accessible to medical students, in-service doctors, and healthcare professionals through platforms like Mission Karmayogi’s iGOT platform. It aims to provide Digital Health certification and continuing medical education credits, equipping professionals with the skills needed to effectively implement ABDM in their regions.

The MoU also outlines plans for developing additional digital health courses in the future, furthering the collaboration between NHA and MUHS in advancing India’s digital health landscape. The signing ceremony was attended by Union Health Secretary Shri Apurva Chandra, senior officials from the Union Health Ministry, and key figures from MUHS and the Koita Foundation.