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
