By: IPP Bureau
Last updated : April 18, 2026 6:38 am
Focus on preventive, tech-driven healthcare and digital ecosystem reforms under AB PM-JAY and ABDM
The National Health Authority (NHA), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, convened a two-day Chintan Shivir in Pune to review progress and fast-track implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.
The high-level meeting brought together senior officials from the Centre and states to assess achievements, identify gaps, and outline a forward-looking roadmap for strengthening India’s flagship health initiatives.
Addressing the inaugural session, Meghana Sakore Bordikar, Minister of State for Public Health, Government of Maharashtra, emphasised the importance of preventive, inclusive, and technology-enabled healthcare, highlighting the growing role of digital tools and AI in improving healthcare delivery.
During the Shivir, NHA unveiled a series of key initiatives, including a compendium of guidelines for standardising AB PM-JAY implementation, the National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX) strategy to create a unified claims ecosystem, and the ABDM Index guidebook to assess progress across states. A major highlight was the launch of the Digital Health Academy to build a future-ready healthcare workforce.
Sunil Kumar Barnwal, CEO, NHA, underscored the role of integrated digital platforms in enabling real-time monitoring and efficient implementation. He called for a shift from curative to preventive and predictive healthcare, aligned with the vision of a resilient system under Viksit Bharat 2047.
The discussions also showcased innovations such as the Ayushman App and WhatsApp chatbot, which are improving beneficiary access, along with advancements in auto-adjudication of claims to enhance transparency and efficiency.
States including Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra presented best practices, particularly in leveraging artificial intelligence and expanding digital health adoption. The integration of NHCX was highlighted as a transformative step to streamline claims processing, reduce fragmentation, and improve efficiency across the healthcare system.