Should Patients Own Their Medical Records Like Aadhaar or Passport?

 In today’s digital-first world, identity is no longer just a piece of paper. Aadhaar, passports, and even driving licenses are now accessible in our pockets — digital, portable, and secure. But here’s a question worth reflecting on:

👉 Should our medical records be the same?

Shouldn’t we own and access them as easily as we do with our Aadhaar or passport?

The Current Reality

If you’ve ever been to a new hospital, you’ve probably faced this:

• Carrying paper reports in bulky files.

• Repeating the same blood tests because your previous hospital doesn’t share results.

• Explaining your medical history again and again to every new doctor.

This isn’t just frustrating — it’s inefficient, costly, and sometimes dangerous. Imagine being in an emergency, but your medical history is locked away in a clinic’s server you cannot access.

The Aadhaar Analogy

Think about Aadhaar. No matter where you are in India, you can prove your identity in seconds. It’s unique, portable, and accepted everywhere.

Now imagine if health records worked the same way:

• You visit a hospital in Delhi with chest pain. With your consent, the doctor can instantly see your past reports from Mumbai.

• A patient with diabetes can track their lab results across years — no matter which lab they used.

• During an emergency, doctors can quickly see allergies, medications, or critical history without wasting time.

This is not just convenience; it’s life-saving empowerment.

The Role of FHIR and ABDM

Here’s where technology comes in. Standards like FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) and initiatives like Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) are making this dream a reality.

• FHIR provides a universal language for health data, so records can move smoothly between hospitals, labs, and apps.

• ABDM is building India’s digital health backbone, where patients can link health records with their Health ID, much like Aadhaar.

• But Who Owns the Data?

  Ownership of medical records is a hot debate. Traditionally, hospitals “own” the records. But in truth, the data is about the patient’s body, health, and life. Patients should:

  ✅ Have the right to access their records anytime.
  ✅ Decide who can see or share them.
  ✅ Store them securely, just like their passport or Aadhaar.

  When patients truly own their health data, healthcare shifts from provider-centric to patient-centric.

•  Real-Life Example

  During the COVID-19 pandemic, people scrambled for their RT-PCR reports, vaccination certificates, and discharge summaries. Many had to wait hours or chase labs for documents.

  Now imagine if all of this sat securely in your health wallet — accessible on your phone, shareable with a QR code, and verifiable like your Aadhaar. That’s the power of ownership.

• The Road Ahead

  Giving patients ownership doesn’t mean hospitals lose control. Instead, it creates a partnership:

  • Hospitals provide accurate and timely data.

  • Patients ensure it’s accessible and usable across their care journey.

  Just as Aadhaar revolutionized digital identity, patient-owned health records can revolutionize healthcare.

• Final Thought

  Healthcare is not just about treating illness — it’s about empowering people. When patients own their medical records like they own their Aadhaar or passport, they gain control, dignity, and trust in their health journey.

  The question is no longer if this should happen. The question is:
  💡 How soon can we make it a reality?

• 👉 What’s your take? Should patients own their health data just like Aadhaar or passports?