Medical College Hospitals to Admit Only ABHA ID Holders

 Hyderabad: The National Medical Commission has directed all medical colleges across the country to ensure that patients admitted to hospitals affiliated with them possess ID cards issued under the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA). In a notice released on Tuesday, the NMC stated, "All medical colleges must require ABHA ID as a prerequisite for registration of patients visiting for OPD/IPD/emergency services in hospitals affiliated with them. All patients, both OP and IP, must undergo registration with the ABHA ID in addition to the hospital’s registration number."

Further, the commission emphasised the importance of authenticating patients and other clinical materials in hospitals. This authentication process will influence decisions regarding the possibility of increasing undergraduate or postgraduate seats, annual renewal of permission/recognition to admit students, or establishment of new colleges.

While affirming that no patient without an ABHA ID should be denied treatment, the commission announced that ABHA cards will become mandatory from the next academic year (2025-26). Only patients and clinical materials with these cards will be taken into account.