Federal hospitals to implement a unique identification system

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination announced the launch of a unique patient identification (ID) system across all federal hospitals.

The move is aimed at improving healthcare management and patient record-keeping.

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The initiative will assign each patient a single, distant ID that will consolidate all medical test results, diagnoses, and treatment histories under a single identifier.

According to a spokesperson for the ministry, the new system will be implemented in both, primary and secondary healthcare facilities.

This will ensure that the benefit extended beyond just the federal hospitals.

The unique ID will serve as a comprehensive link to a patient’s medical information, facilitating better coordination among healthcare providers.   

The decision to implement the system comes in response to ongoing challenges within the country’s declining healthcare sector, where fragmented patient records often lead to inefficiencies and potential errors in treatment.

Patients may also possess multiple records across different hospitals and clinics, complicating access to the complete medical history.

The lack of complete medical history can result in unnecessary repeat tests, misdiagnoses, and delays in receiving appropriate care.

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People who cannot read or write also face challenges in advocating for themselves, with their previous medical history not known to the current doctor.

Several countries have already adopted a similar identification system.