All Patients to Register with ABHA ID, Says NMC to All Medical Colleges and Institutes
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a directive requiring all medical colleges and their associated hospitals to register every patient—outpatient, inpatient, and emergency cases—with an Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID in addition to the hospital’s registration number. This mandate, effective from the academic year 2025-26, aims to ensure authentic patient records and clinical documentation across India’s medical education and healthcare infrastructure.
Background and Rationale for ABHA ID Registration
The NMC observed that many medical colleges were not consistently recording patient details through the digital ABHA ID system, which provides a unique health identity for every individual. The lack of authentic records had implications for the assessment and recognition of medical colleges, especially regarding approvals for undergraduate and postgraduate medical seats.
ABHA ID registration facilitates a reliable and verifiable trail of patient data—helping to eliminate fraudulent practices, such as the hiring of fake patients to inflate bed occupancy ratios used in compliance reports. The creation of an ABHA ID is a simple process closely integrated with India’s Aadhaar system, making it accessible to a vast majority of patients.
Key NMC Instructions and Enforcement Measures
All patients visiting medical college hospitals must be registered using their ABHA ID along with the hospital registration number.
No patient should be denied medical treatment due to non-possession of an ABHA ID; however, only patients with authenticated ABHA-linked records will be counted towards institutional assessments.
In-patient records must be authenticated with signatures and names of attending faculty and senior residents, affirming they have examined and admitted the patient.
Investigative and diagnostic reports must carry signatures of faculty members responsible for the relevant department.
The NMC will carry out verifications of patient records and enforce strict penalties against colleges, faculty, or staff found involved in falsifying patient data.
Implications for Medical Colleges and Future Approvals
The adherence to the ABHA ID mandate will be critical in decisions related to increasing course seats, new college inaugurations, annual renewals, and recognition status for medical institutions. Institutions failing to comply risk severe consequences, including denial of future academic grants and approvals by the NMC.
Patient-Friendly Approach
Importantly, the NMC has emphasized that while ABHA ID registration is mandatory for record authenticity, medical treatment cannot be refused to any patient lacking this ID. This ensures that healthcare access remains inclusive while promoting transparent record keeping.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About NMC’s ABHA ID Mandate
Q1: What is the ABHA ID that NMC wants patients to register with?
ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) ID is a unique digital health identity assigned to individuals to securely link their health records across various healthcare providers in India.
Q2: Is ABHA ID registration mandatory for all medical patients now?
Yes, the NMC requires all patients visiting any medical college or its associated hospital to be registered with an ABHA ID for the purpose of maintaining authentic records.
Q3: Will patients be denied treatment if they do not have an ABHA ID?
No, patients cannot be denied treatment for not having an ABHA ID, but hospitals must register patients with ABHA ID once created.
Q4: How does ABHA ID registration benefit the medical colleges?
It ensures genuine patient records, reduces fraudulent practices, and is directly linked to academic approvals, seat increases, and recognition granted by the NMC.
Q5: What are the penalties for medical colleges not complying with this directive?
Non-compliance can lead to penalties including denial of new seats, withdrawal of permissions, and possible action against concerned faculty and institutions for fraudulent records.
Q6: How can patients create an ABHA ID?
Patients can easily create an ABHA ID online through the official ABHA portal or at medical facilities that offer assistance with the registration.
Published on: August 1, 2025
Published by: PAVAN
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