The National Health Authority (NHA) released a consultation paper on the proposed Health Data Retention Policy. The consultation paper provides a detailed discussion on the need for the policy, its scope, key elements under it, and proposed approach for its governance structure under the ambit of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). It also focuses on how a health data retention policy for ABDM stakeholders will help the healthcare ecosystem.

The proposed Health Data Retention Guideline/Policy has been envisioned to minimise risks associated with personal health data and to maximise benefits from the usage of this data by ensuring that data retention guidelines are in sync with all applicable legal and regulatory compliances. The NHA will ensure an inclusive engagement with stakeholders and ensure that all diverse viewpoints are incorporated from concerned stakeholders.

Through this consultation paper, the NHA is providing interested stakeholders with information that may be useful to understand the considerations for the proposed policy for India, and its related implications, and seek their suggestions/inputs on health data retention under ABDM.

Full text of the consultation paper is available for download on ABDM’s website at https://abdm.gov.in/publication/consultationpapers. Comments and feedback can be uploaded on the same link or can be emailed to abdm@nha.gov.in by December 24, 2021.

NHA is also planning to organise a public webinar shortly to provide an overview of the consultation paper.