Empresas y finanzas

Gemalto Rolls out Electronic Social Security Program Nationwide in Algeria



    Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO), the world leader in digital
    security, today announced that it has started the nationwide roll-out
    of Algeria´s first electronic healthcare project. Following the
    success of the pilot phase comprising 700,000 cards in five regions,
    this pioneering healthcare program in Algeria is poised for nationwide
    roll-out over the coming two years. This timetable is in line with the
    deadline set by CNAS (the Algerian national health insurance
    authority) under the terms of the contract won by Gemalto in 2006.
    Gemalto is prime contractor for the program, handling end to end
    implementation of the system for issuing and managing the seven
    million smartcards used by healthcare beneficiaries and providers.

    Gemalto´s solution enables healthcare institutions to manage
    patient records securely and to verify patient benefits, while
    maintaining data confidentiality. For healthcare beneficiaries, this
    new social security smartcard (known as Chifa) simplifies
    administrative procedures and eliminates paperwork from the submission
    of claims to the authorities. The high level of transaction security
    and faster reimbursement represent additional advantages for smartcard
    users.

    Boualem Touati, IT director at CNAS, commented: "The pilot phase
    proved that the entire system works from one end of the chain to the
    other. Healthcare beneficiaries, doctors, pharmacists, healthcare
    organizations, such as social security agencies, can already reap the
    benefit of the solution implemented with Gemalto. For instance, claim
    reimbursement times have been cut from 30 to 5 days, and the complete
    modernization of CNAS´ processing chain will pave the way for a major
    reduction in operating costs."

    "It represents a large-scale project with a very tight deadline,"
    added Jacques Seneca, Executive Vice President of Gemalto´s Security
    Business Unit. "Following a highly successful pilot phase, Gemalto´s
    teams remain mobilized, ready to see the project through to completion
    and to support CNAS with future developments in the program."

    About Gemalto

    Gemalto (Euronext NL 0000400653 GTO) is the leader in digital
    security with pro forma 2007 annual revenues of over EUR 1.6 billion,
    more than 85 offices in 40 countries and about 10,000 employees
    including 1,300 R&D engineers.

    In a world where the digital revolution is increasingly
    transforming our lives, Gemalto´s solutions are designed to make
    personal digital interactions more convenient, secure and enjoyable.

    Gemalto provides end-to-end digital security solutions, from the
    development of software applications through design and production of
    secure personal devices such as smart cards, SIMs, e-passports, and
    tokens to the deployment of managed services for its customers.

    More than a billion people worldwide use the company´s products
    and services for telecommunications, financial services, e-government,
    identity management, multimedia content, digital rights management, IT
    security, mass transit and many other applications.

    As the use of Gemalto´s software and secure devices increases with
    the number of people interacting in the digital and wireless world,
    the company is poised to thrive over the coming years.

    Gemalto was formed in June 2006 by the combination of Axalto and
    Gemplus.

    For more information please visit www.gemalto.com