New Delhi – In a major move to enhance the authenticity and traceability of clinical records, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a public notice directing all medical colleges to mandatorily register patient records using the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID.
The Commission has also warned of strict disciplinary action against institutions and faculty members found maintaining fake or unauthenticated records.
Key Guidelines Issued by NMC
According to the latest NMC directive:
- All patient records (especially in-patient) must include the names and signatures of unit faculty and senior residents who attend to them.
- All investigative reports must bear the signature of a faculty member from the relevant department.
- Verification of authenticity of these records may be conducted by NMC during routine assessments and inspections.
Linking with ABHA ID Now Mandatory
The NMC expressed concern that despite its June 2024 directive, many medical colleges had failed to consistently link patient records with ABHA IDs. This linkage is now compulsory for all patients — including those visiting for OPD, IPD, or emergency services — at hospitals affiliated with medical colleges.
The Commission emphasized that ABHA ID registration is a simple process, easily facilitated with an Aadhaar card, and widely accessible to the public.
However, the NMC clarified that no patient should be denied treatment due to lack of ABHA ID, but for academic assessments (2025-26 onward), only ABHA-authenticated clinical data will be considered while evaluating college performance, including requests for increased seats, new courses, or annual renewals.
Warning Against Fake Records
The Commission stated that if any patient data is found to be fake or fabricated, action will be taken against the concerned faculty and the institution. The move aims to ensure that clinical material used for teaching and assessments is genuine and verifiable, which will contribute to better quality assurance in medical education and healthcare delivery.
