The Ministry of Finance (MoF) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Dubai Health Authority (DHA) to adopt the e-Dirham system and e-Dirham cards as a means of paying for government services provided by DHA. The signing ceremony took place at DHA headquarters in Dubai.
The MoU was signed by HE Saeed Rashid Al Yateem, Assistant Undersecretary of Resources and Budget Sector at MoF; Jassim Saleh Al Awadhi, Chief Executive Officer of the Institutional Support Services Sector at the Dubai Health Authority (DHA); and Saeed Hussein Al Khoori, Director General of the UAE Government Sector at the National Bank of Abu Dhabi; in the presence of Azza Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director of the Revenue Development Department at MoF.
HE Saeed Rashid Al Yateem stressed the Ministry’s efforts in developing and implementing modern, cashless and safer payment collection methods to be aligned with the smart government initiative and to promote electronic payments in the country. The Ministry continuously works alongside its strategic partners to further improve and upgrade the e-Dirham system for collecting fees for government services.
HE Al Yateem added: “The results of the e-Dirham system have proved the speed and efficiency of the system, and is considered as one of the best and safer payment methods for government service fees. The system is also based on the latest international practices in the collection of service fees. This national system is characterised by its innovative electronic features that work on saving time and effort, while maintaining high levels of accuracy and efficiency. This raises the levels of customer satisfaction and expectations.”
The MoU stipulates the following: DHA adopted the e-Dirham cards as a new means of payment collection. The National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) will provide all the necessary hardware, software, equipment to be built in the Authority’s premises. NBAD is committed to transferring e- services fees to the relevant authorities, as well as train DHA employees to operate and manage POS equipment.
Jassim Saleh Al Awadhi, CEO of the Institutional Support Services Sector at DHA, praised the Ministry’s efforts and the significant role played by NBAD in raising the performance and efficiency of various government and non-government entities in cash management. HE then added: “The use of the e-Dirham system to collect fees by the Dubai Health Authority will help to keep abreast with the latest global developments in payment systems and offer the best digital and smart services. The e-Dirham system is a significant initiative to ensure delivering quality services to customers, as well as raising the level of security and accuracy in facilitating financial transactions.”
Saeed Hussein Al Khouri, Director General of the UAE Government Sector at the National Bank of Abu Dhabi said: “Signing the MoU with the Dubai Health Authority widens the scope of institutions using the e-Dirham system, and represents joint cooperation between local governments and the private sector in the field of electronic payment. The agreement also comes in line with our aspirations at the National Bank of Abu Dhabi to contribute to the development of e-services in the country. Sitting within a recent context of numerous great advancements in public and business service delivery, the expansion of the e-dirham system will contribute to improvements in the overall business environment helping to place the UAE at the forefront of global competitiveness rates and emerging economies.”
MoF conducts regular studies to identify the e-Dirham system’s activities and transaction processes growing number of dealers with government entities, increasing daily transactions and continually assessing the best geographical location for e-Dirham card sale and recharge centres across the UAE.