Md. Farooque Hossain

Despite making significant strides in recent years, Bangladesh continues to grapple with challenges in delivering comprehensive healthcare services to its citizens. Issues such as limited access to quality healthcare facilities, overcrowding in urban centres, and disparities between rural and urban healthcare remain persistent obstacles.

With rising healthcare costs and a fragmented system, comprehensive reform is of vital importance. In this context, the proposal to introduce health cards for all citizens is a step in the right direction as it holds immense promise for revolutionising Bangladesh's healthcare delivery, presenting an opportunity to systematically deal with these concerns.

According to media reports, the launch of Digital Health Cards in Bangladesh hospitals is in the offing. A project in this connection has got off the ground. The Medical Information Services (MIS), under the information services wing of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), is spearheading this project.

The health card will be directly linked to an individual’s NID or birth certificate, automatically retrieving their name, date of birth and address to create a comprehensive health profile while ensuring data privacy and security. Collaborations with the Election Commission for NID-related information and the Registrar General’s office for birth registration information have been established to create a national-level database.

To set the ball rolling, government hospitals have already initiated automation for this project, according to the insiders of the MIS. Initially, the pilot project for health cards will commence in a few hospitals, starting with Gopalganj's Muksudpur and Manikganj's Singair Upazila. Hospital authorities are actively promoting the health card initiative within their premises, urging individuals to bring a copy of their NID or birth certificate when visiting the health complex. Over time, the project aims to extend to various government hospitals nationwide. Nonetheless, the complete implementation is estimated to take 5 to 7 years.

Health cards can be obtained by registering online on a website soon to be rolled out by DGHS. An offline registration option will also be available at government or private hospitals using NID or birth certificates. The entire process will be free of charge. The Health ID Number assigned to each patient will securely store a comprehensive record of their health information throughout their lifetime, ensuring the privacy of their medical records and only used for authorised healthcare purposes.

One of the primary advantages of health cards is their ability to streamline access to healthcare services. By providing a unified platform containing an individual’s medical history, the card enables healthcare providers to promptly access vital information, facilitating quicker diagnoses, informed treatments, and improved continuity of care, particularly in emergency situations.

Moreover, health cards boost efficiency within the healthcare system by digitising medical records and administrative processes. This digitisation reduces paperwork, minimises errors, and enhances overall healthcare delivery effectiveness. It also facilitates greater accountability among healthcare providers, allowing appropriate care for patients while reducing instances of mismanagement or neglect.

Furthermore, utilising health cards generates valuable data regarding prevalent health issues, treatment patterns and demographic health trends. Analysing this data empowers policymakers to make informed decisions regarding healthcare planning and resource allocation. By understanding the population’s health needs better, authorities can strategically allocate resources, ensuring underserved areas receive adequate attention and resources.

Apart from these, health cards can serve as a tool for promoting preventive healthcare practices. Maintaining comprehensive health records allows individuals and healthcare providers to track patterns, conduct regular check-ups, and offer timely interventions to prevent the escalation of health issues. This proactive approach not only improves individual health outcomes but also eases the healthcare system’s burden caused by preventable illnesses.

Many countries have adopted unique health cards in different forms for their citizens, showcasing their potential to revolutionise healthcare. Estonians carry e-health cards that store complete medical records, while Thailand has its Smart Card system. In Sweden, the personal e-ID card integrates with healthcare, while South Korea uses the National Health Insurance Service card and Australia utilises the Medicare card. While India lacks a single, nationwide health card system, various state-level programmes implement the use of diverse cards using Aadhaar, the unique identification number system.

Citizens of these countries enjoy the multifaceted benefits of health cards, ranging from improved access and affordability to enhanced efficiency and patient empowerment. Drawing inspiration from these successful models and carefully tailoring them to Bangladesh’s context, the potential for positive transformation in the healthcare system is immense.

However, the implementation of a health card system is not without its challenges. Protecting data privacy and security is paramount, particularly in a digital system. Recent data breaches during the Covid pandemic, where governments and agencies across countries collected health information for support purposes, point to the urgency of robust security measures. Additionally, infrastructural limitations, especially in rural areas, pose a potential roadblock to effective deployment. Adequately training healthcare personnel and conducting targeted public awareness campaigns are crucial for successful adoption and utilisation across diverse demographics.
____________________________________________
The writer is an IT Professional and columnist.
Email: [email protected]