Principal Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department, Dr. Pawan Kotwal inspected SNM hospital on May 2.

Technical Director, NIC, Phuntsog Paldan gave a demonstration to the Principal Secretary on the software system installed for the registration of patients. Taking note of transactions taking place in cash for registration of patients, the Principal Secretary directed the Technical Director, NIC to tie up with banks and immediately shift to the online mode of payment system for the convenience of patients.

Further, he instructed that hi-speed internet be provided in District hospitals Leh and Kargil, and in Sub-district hospitals Diskit and Sankoo for the efficient functioning of the hospitals. 
The Principal Secretary asked the Medical Superintendent, SNM hospital to replace all the old computer systems with the latest and hi-speed computers for greater efficiency. He also asked the Director of Health, to send doctors from Ladakh for training to cities where e-hospitals are running in an efficient manner. 

Addressing the media, Principal Secretary, Dr. Kotwal shared that soon every citizen of Ladakh will have health ID cards known as the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA). ABHA enables access and sharing of one’s health records such as laboratory reports, prescriptions, and diagnosis digitally without any hassles. 

The Principal Secretary also shared that Picture Archiving Communications will be included in the Ayushman Bharat Digital Module in Ladakh.