Rajasthan Government Mandates ABHA ID for All Patient Registrations in State-Run Medical College Hospitals
The Rajasthan state government has taken a significant step towards digitizing healthcare services by making the Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA) identification document (ID) mandatory for the registration of all patients in hospitals attached to government medical colleges. This directive, issued on Wednesday, applies to outpatient (OPD), inpatient (IPD), and emergency services, aiming to streamline patient records and enhance the efficiency of healthcare delivery across the state.
Implementation and Compliance Requirements
The medical education department issued detailed directions on Tuesday to all government-run medical colleges and their associated hospitals, instructing them to ensure that patients registering for any medical services possess an ABHA ID. However, the department has clarified that no patient should be denied treatment due to a lack of this identification document, emphasizing that healthcare access remains a priority while promoting digital adoption.
In an order issued by Medical Education Principal Secretary Gayatri Rathore, it was specified that the ABHA ID should be treated as a prerequisite for registration workflows. Institutions are required to align their systems to capture this identifier at the first point of contact and maintain it throughout the patient's healthcare journey. This move is part of a broader effort to integrate digital health records and improve data accuracy in medical facilities.
Impact on National Medical Commission (NMC) Assessments
From the academic year 2025–26 onwards, only patients and related clinical material authenticated with an ABHA ID will be considered for NMC assessment purposes. This requirement underscores the importance of compliance, as colleges must prepare and ensure adherence across all departments, units, and shifts. An official highlighted that attention has been drawn to an NMC public notice issued in July 2025, which reiterates the mandatory recording of ABHA IDs for maintaining authentic patient records.
The notice makes it clear that compliance may be scrutinized during NMC assessments, and any deviations could lead to appropriate actions against the concerned faculty and institutions. Consequently, medical colleges are urged to tighten their documentation practices to avoid potential penalties and ensure seamless integration of digital health initiatives.
Broader Implications for Healthcare in Rajasthan
This mandate is expected to have several implications for the healthcare sector in Rajasthan:
- Enhanced Data Management: By requiring ABHA IDs, the government aims to create a unified and accessible digital health record system, reducing paperwork and improving patient care coordination.
- Improved Accountability: The linkage to NMC assessments encourages medical colleges to adopt best practices in record-keeping, fostering transparency and accountability in healthcare services.
- Patient Empowerment: While mandatory, the ABHA ID system empowers patients by providing them with a portable health identifier that can be used across various healthcare facilities, facilitating better health management.
As Rajasthan moves forward with this initiative, it sets a precedent for other states to follow in leveraging technology to enhance public health infrastructure. The focus remains on balancing mandatory digital adoption with the assurance that no patient is left behind due to technological barriers.
