Emirates ID speeds up health care for Daman cardholders

Members of the public can now use their Emirates ID card as an alternative to the health insurance card, as part of Daman's new initiative

ABU DHABI // Residents who are insured with Daman can now check in to hospitals and medical clinics with a quick scan of their Emirates identity cards.

Daman has began to instal about 2,000 Emirates ID card readers in health centres.

The move will provide quicker and more efficient health support for those covered by Daman and Thiqa, said Dr Michael Bitzer, chief executive of Daman National Health Insurance.

“Adopting the Emirates ID as an alternative for insurance cards is a major step towards simplifying the process of accessing medical services,” Dr Bitzer said.

Dr Saeed Al Ghafli, director general of the Emirates Identity Authority, said that more card readers would be installed in hospitals and other public buildings soon.

Dr Al Ghafli said this would provide more efficient services to both citizens and residents.

He said that the authority’s goal was to make the Emirates ID card “the most valued identification document for all citizens”.

Daman is testing the service at major medical centres, and is aiming to launch the service in all hospitals and clinics by early next year.