India's Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) stole the spotlight at the Davos 2026 World Economic Forum, positioning the country as a trailblazer in affordable, scalable healthcare for the Global South. This recognition highlights how India's digital health infrastructure is transforming access to care amid rising global costs. For everyday users, it means easier access to records, telemedicine, and personalized treatment without the hassle of lost papers or long waits.
Spotlight At Davos Summit
At the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos from January 19-23, 2026, Dr. Shyam Bishen, Head of the Centre for Health and Healthcare at WEF, praised ABDM as a "great example of large public-sector digital infrastructure." He noted India's early digital identity like Aadhaar enabled this at population scale, covering over 800 million people with interoperable systems linking providers, payers, and patients. This model addresses global healthcare spending hitting $10-12 trillion—over 10% of GDP—by promoting frugal innovation and efficiency.
What Is ABDM?
Launched in 2021, ABDM creates India's integrated digital health backbone, bridging gaps between hospitals, doctors, and citizens via secure digital highways. Every person gets a 14-digit Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) to store records like lab reports, prescriptions, and histories in one place. It supports universal health coverage that's inclusive, affordable, and timely, even in remote areas.
Key Features And User Benefits
- ABDM makes healthcare simpler and faster for you.
- ABHA for Seamless Access: Create your free health ID via app or offline; link all records to view anywhere, anytime.
- Telemedicine via eSanjeevani: Get doctor consultations remotely, saving travel—millions already served.
- Interoperable Records: Doctors across public/private facilities share data instantly with your consent, reducing repeat tests.
- Online Pharmacy and Analytics: Order meds easily; providers track outcomes for better care plans.
Over 400 million ABHA created and 273 million records linked show real momentum.
Global Impact And Future
India's system, boosted by CoWIN's vaccine success, serves as a template for the Global South, accelerating AI for access and efficiency. WEF's Digital Healthcare Transformation Initiative spotlights ABDM as a lighthouse for worldwide adoption. With rising costs everywhere, this positions India to lead in cost-effective health tech.