Pakistan launches ‘One Patient, One ID’ project for unified health records

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of National Health Services has teamed up with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to launch the “One Patient, One ID” project to create a single medical record system.

Under the project, the patient’s Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) number will become the patient‘s uniquely identifiable Medical Record (MR) number, to access patient records through Pakistan.

The health database will provide the central health data to improve the delivery of health services throughout Pakistan and make treatment more precise and timely.

In addressing the press, Federal Health Minister Dr. Mustafa Kamal stated that there is no country-level system in Pakistan to track all patients’ and all medical history information in an organized manner; therefore, Nadra had the largest data repository built in Pakistan.

Nadra would be one of if not the largest, municipal data depositories in the world. Therefore, Dr. Kamal informed the press that the change will revolutionize healthcare in Pakistan.

Dr. Kamal discussed future plans at the Ministry of National Health Services for supporting the health agenda and supporting the people of Pakistan by offering health care virtually. He stated people would soon get doctors and even medicines delivered to their doorstep.

The movement towards digital health is timely and needed as the existing system is under stress. Dr. Kamal noted that 70% of patients versus local health units that treat patients, instead of coming to major hospitals.

This creates stress for urban hospital facilities. With digital tools, the healthcare system can become more efficient, more equitable, and more sustainable.

Pakistan has already created significant advances in the health technology space, including electronic patient records and telehealth services, with companies like Fitwell Hub emerging as leaders for integrating AI in healthcare.