Digital foundations for health equity: Rethinking primary care through the Ayushman Bharat digital mission

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) marks a pivotal step in India's journey toward a unified, citizen-centric health ecosystem. Its integration with primary healthcare (PHC)-the most accessible and foundational tier of service delivery-offers transformative potential. By enabling unique digital health IDs, interoperable health records, and consent-based data sharing, ABDM promises to improve continuity of care, empower frontline health workers, and support the long-term management of chronic diseases at the community level. However, ground-level implementation faces challenges such as poor infrastructure, limited digital literacy, workflow resistance, and concerns around data privacy. This viewpoint argues that while technology is central, its true value will emerge only through inclusive design, local ownership, and sustained investment in human capacity. ABDM, if thoughtfully implemented, can redefine the role of PHC-not merely as a first point of contact, but as a digitally enabled, person-centered platform for equitable care delivery.