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Aarogya Setu 2.0: The Next Frontier of Digital Health is Trust, Not Technology

The launch of Aarogya Setu 2.0 marks a significant milestone in India's digital health journey. In many ways, it is perhaps the most comprehensive citizen-centric digital public health initiative undertaken so far. However, there's a challenge as well.

From AI-enabled health records and medication reminders to health wallet balance and claims, family profile management, PM-JAY empanelled hospital search, nearby healthcare facilities, ambulance booking, real-time blood availability through e-RaktKosh, and Scan & Share for seamless record sharing, this platform Aarogya Setu 2.0 attempts to bring the healthcare ecosystem together in one place.

However, one feature particularly caught my attention—'My Consent'.

As digital public infrastructure continues to evolve, technology is no longer the biggest challenge. Public trust is.

Health data is deeply personal. Giving citizens complete control over when, how, and with whom their medical information is shared is perhaps the most important step towards responsible digital healthcare.

At the same time, this feature also presents the next communication challenge.

Unless citizens clearly understand what they are consenting to, why it matters, and how their privacy is protected, even the best-designed digital platforms may struggle to achieve their full potential.

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Disclaimer: This article reflects the author's independent analysis based on publicly available information.

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