Khulna to pilot digital health cards for 2.5m residents

The government is set to bring nearly 2.5 million people in Khulna under a modern, fully digitised healthcare system inspired by models in Europe, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

As part of the initiative, Khulna has been selected as a pilot district where patients will receive e-health cards electronic IDs that store comprehensive medical histories, including past illnesses, diagnostic reports, and prescription records. Authorities expect the system to be rolled out within the year.

The move aims to streamline treatment by allowing physicians instant access to a patient’s medical background, reducing the need for repeated tests and improving the accuracy and speed of care.

Each e-health card will carry a unique identification number, enabling healthcare providers across facilities to retrieve patient data in real time.

Officials say this will significantly cut medical costs, particularly for low-income groups, many of whom currently travel abroad especially to India for treatment of conditions such as cancer, hypertension, and dengue.

The initiative is part of the government’s 180-day programme, with a project proposal for issuing the cards now awaiting approval.

Dr Md Mujibur Rahman, divisional deputy director of health in Khulna, said data collection is already underway at government hospitals to support implementation.

Once approved, the project is expected to usher in a new era of efficient and accessible healthcare services for the district’s residents.