AIIMS gives unique health ID numbers

AIIMS started issuing Unique Health Identification numbers to its patients with a view to electronically track medical care facilities provided to them and also to have a systematised database in place. 

Till now, all patients at AIIMS were identified by out-patient department (OPD) cards issued to them. “The hospital administration is, however, not doing away with OPD cards. The UHID number will be mentioned on the OPD card,” an AIIMS doctor said.“With the help of UHID numbers, a database will be created that will make it easier to find out the history of the patient’s treatment at the hospital even if they are coming after a gap of 10-20 years,” he said.

“Further, a person having a UHID number wouldn’t need to bring his earlier treatment or test reports,” he said. 

People who have undergone treatment at AIIMS earlier are also being issued UHID numbers. This facility came into force recently. At least 15 lakh out-patients come to All India Institute of Medical Sciences every year.

New chemist

Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad Sunday inaugurated a free pharmacy store and a convergence block at AIIMS. 

“Some 9,000-10,000 patients are treated in the AIIMS OPD every day. Of these, many do not have the economic means to purchase medicines. The generic pharmacy store will provide free medicines to such patients,” said Azad.

It is estimated that the store will help close to 4,000 patients per day. “The expense on these free generic medicines will be about Rs 1.2 crore every month, which will be borne by the ministry of health and family welfare,” Azad said.

The minister said the new 10-storey convergence block will house facilities for various departments, including pathology, biology, anatomy and pharmacology. “It will also have teaching rooms, laboratories, research units along with a knowledge centre,” he said.Patients said they hope they will not have to stand in long queues to get medicines with the addition of the new pharmacy store.