DUBAI - Effective today, all National Identity card holders will no longer be required to carry any other documents to obtain a health card.

According to a Ministry of Health (MoH) circular issued to all medical centres on Wednesday, all nationals and expatriates who have already obtained the NIC, will no longer be required to carry paper documents such as passport copies, photos, forms etc, to obtain their health card.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Dr Ali bin Shukr, Chief Executive Officer of Support Services at the MoH said, “We are aware that not everybody has an ID card as of yet, but this is a continuous process and whenever the entire project is in place, accessing health services will even be easier.”

In October, the MoH announced the Health Information System (HIS) called Wareed to be implemented over three years.

Once in place, the unified health system will give health providers access to health files maintained in public and private hospitals countrywide, eliminating the need for patients to visit hospitals frequently.

Dr Shukr clarified that the ID card was not a pre-requisite to obtain a health card, but an additional facility.

“All the information required to process a health card is already present in the ID card, so when the ID card will be presented at a health centre it will eliminate the need for paper work,” he explained.

The change in the procedure will not affect the fee structure, but is expected to reduce the waiting time by 15 minutes.

In order to obtain a residency visa and labour card, all expatriates are required to undergo a medical and blood test. 

However, if you are not covered by a company or private medical insurance, a government health card entitles residents to low cost medical treatment at public hospitals and clinics.

An application form can be collected from any public hospital then submitted (typed in Arabic), along with the correct documents to your local health care centre. The health card for expatriates is valid for one year at a cost of Dh300 and can be renewed online. Cards for nationals are valid for four years at a cost of Dh100.

• For appointments: Book online www.emiratesid.ae or, call Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA) 600 523432.
• Centres to register:  Total 28 in UAE
• Registered so far: 693,000 *
• Yet to register: 548,000*
• Documents required: Applicant must carry his/her passport.
• Interview: It is best to go prepared for a short interview.
• You may be asked questions about your religion, educational qualification and the year you passed out of school/college and your mother tongue.
• After the interview, you will be given a queue number and you then await your turn for being photographed and your electronic signature taken.
• You will also be fingerprinted at another counter.
• Delivery of ID Card:  It should take about 10 days. The National Identity Card will be sent  by Empost to the address mentioned in the form.

      As on November 26