Blockchain is a decentralized technology that has the potential to transform a host of sectors, ranging from finance & banking, agriculture to healthcare. One of the main advantages of this technology is its foolproof mechanism and complete anonymity that guarantees absolute transparency, efficiency, and interoperability.
UAE is among the first countries that are gradually transitioning to digital mediums like Blockchain for smooth delivery of government services. The country’s Ministry of Community Development (MOCD) has completely gone digital using Blockchain and chat systems. Main responsibilities of the department include opening public welfare institutions and providing marriage licenses. The department is also using blockchain for digital authentication of certificates and official documents. As per reports, the existing Blockchain system can process more than 2,500 types of documents.
An app called UAE Pass has been developed by Abu Dhabi Digital Authority and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority that allows verification of users over smartphone and allows them to e-sign documents. UAE is quite active in the promotion of distributed ledger technology in numerous projects. The country’s Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) also uses a Blockchain platform for saving healthcare data and checking the credentials of healthcare workers.
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Decentralized registries
Last year, in October, the Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities (DPM), a leading UAE Government entity, partnered with Tech Mahindra, a leading Indian Information Technology company, to launch a Blockchain solution for Land Registry using SmartHub Application.
The solution will enhance citizen services by increasing transparency and traceability of records, security, and ensuring easy archival of data. It will also enable digital transformation of land registry by reducing the processing time related to Land Registry related transactions and creating value that can bring benefits to citizens. All the property-related documents issued by the municipalities will be stored in Blockchain and can be tracked through Blockchain nods extended to different entities. SmartHub application using Blockchain will also provide benefits in services like Buying Resale Property and Tenancy Contract Verification etc.
Multiple benefits
While supply chains have been disrupted due to extended lockdowns in most parts of the world, Blockchain can emerge as an alternative. It is also proving its utility in data analytics for healthcare during the time of pandemic.
HACERA, an enterprise Blockchain startup, has developed a new platform MiPasa to help with data aggregation and analytics for COVID-19. It has joined hands with IBM and Oracle for the project. So far, the startup has analyzed data from World Health Organization (WHO), John Hopkins University, and the Center of Disease Control (CDC). The MiPesa project aims to aggregate data from disparate sources and helps to match similarities in them. It intends to ensure that the data in the system matches the original, and any discrepancies could be easily reported.
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