Pakistan’s Ministry of Health is working with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to introduce a “One Patient One ID” system, aiming to integrate patient medical records with national identity numbers. The system would use an individual’s Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) number as their Medical Record (MR) number, allowing healthcare providers nationwide to access patients’ histories through a unified platform.
The plan was discussed during a meeting between Federal Health Minister Dr. Nadeem Jan and NADRA Chairman Lt Gen Mohammad Munir Afsar. Minister Jan emphasized that the initiative is intended to modernize Pakistan’s healthcare infrastructure and improve continuity of care, addressing the current fragmentation of patient information across hospitals and clinics. “The national identity card number will now serve as the MR number,” Jan said, according to a report from Dawn.
NADRA, which already manages Pakistan’s central biometric and demographic database, will support the project by linking individuals’ CNICs to their health records in a secure manner. According to government officials, the approach is expected to enhance efficiency, reduce duplication of medical tests, and support better healthcare planning, particularly as the country expands access to telemedicine services.
Pakistan’s move reflects a broader global trend toward integrating digital identity and healthcare infrastructure. Similar initiatives are underway internationally, including Rwanda’s efforts to develop a national biometrics authentication system to strengthen digital identity frameworks.
While the Pakistani government has not yet announced a formal timeline for the One Patient One ID system’s rollout, officials indicated that pilot programs may be introduced soon to test interoperability across public and private healthcare facilities. The Ministry of Health also signaled that the initiative could lay the foundation for broader e-health initiatives, such as telemedicine delivery and remote diagnostics.
Source: Dawn
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April 28, 2025 – by the ID Tech Editorial Team
