Smartcards and healthcare for all

July 2010 News & Events

Dozens of countries in both the developing and the developed worlds have implemented smartcard-based health programs, with some of the most successful and sustained programs being in France and Germany. In these two countries, millions of citizens, thousands of insurance companies and healthcare providers – from large multispecialty hospitals to the GP next-door – share a common country-wide infrastructure for beneficiary and service provider identification, digital signature as well as a standardised health record. France is currently implementing the second generation of such a system, the first one having been introduced almost two decades ago.

However, such programs often face a host of challenges that simultaneously encompass technological, administrative, policy and even ethical issues, often calling for a paradigm shift, both within the minds of decision-makers, as well as users across various socio-economic denominations.

South Africa currently has the twin challenge of the government’s plan to introduce a National Health Insurance System, and at the same time continue to support a large population of chronically ill patients, many of them solely dependent on the public health infrastructure. South Africa also faces the paradox where some people enjoy world-class healthcare and insurance, while many others do not even have access to basic services.

What are the issues facing the policy makers, administrators, doctors and workers; and what are the expectations of a population strongly hoping that political will and business interests will together find win-win solutions, among the many contradictions that afflict the sector.

In all this, can smartcards find a place and provide solutions, not only to the management, security and accountability of the system, but also cut costs in an industry where runaway expenses can often cripple the entire nations’ economy.

The Cardex event, due to take place at Sandton Convention Centre on 28 September 2010, will focus on these issues, with a stellar agenda and keynote presenters lined up.

For more information contact Carol Willis, +27 (0)11 462 1690, carol@smartx.co.za





Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

Pentagon appointed as Milestone distributor
Elvey Security Technologies News & Events Surveillance
Milestone Systems appointed Pentagon Distribution (an Elvey Group company within the Hudaco Group of Companies) as a distributor. XProtect’s open architecture means no lock-in and the ability to customise the connected video solution that will accomplish the job.

Read more...
Re-introduction of the booking system
PSiRA (Private Security Ind. Regulatory Authority) News & Events
[Sponsored] PSiRA is reintroducing the booking system for branch visits. Effective Monday, 4 December 2023, clients will be required to book a slot to visit any PSiRA branch.

Read more...
From the editor's desk: A sad but exciting goodbye
Technews Publishing News & Events
Welcome to the final monthly issue of SMART Security Solutions. This is the last issue of the year and the last monthly issue we will print. The SMART Security Solutions team wishes all our readers and advertisers a relaxing festive season and a peaceful and prosperous 2024.

Read more...
Regal celebrates successful golf day
Regal Distributors SA News & Events
Regal Distributors held its first official Regal Golf Day on 18 October at the Glendower Golf Course in Johannesburg. SMART Security Solutions was there on a hot summer’s day to meet many players and sponsors around the course.

Read more...
Gallagher Security releases Command Centre v9
Gallagher News & Events Access Control & Identity Management Integrated Solutions
Richer features, greater integrations, with the release of Gallagher Security’s Command Centre v9 security site management software designed to integrate seamlessly with various systems and hardware.

Read more...
Regal launches direct-to-branch WhatsApp communication
Regal Distributors SA News & Events
With a quick scan of a QR code and a few taps on your phone, installers, integrators, technicians or even end-users can chat directly with the team at their preferred Regal branch via WhatsApp

Read more...
FM Expo highlights industry trends and challenges
Securex South Africa News & Events Facilities & Building Management
Keeping tabs on what is happening within the building/facilities management arena can be frustrating, however, a quick way to find out what current trends, challenges, and solutions are available can be found at the Facilities Management Expo.

Read more...
South Africa shows a 1200% increase in deepfake fraud
News & Events Risk Management & Resilience
Sumsub released its third annual Identity Fraud Report of the year, analysing identity fraud across industries and regions based on millions of verification checks across 28 industries and over 2 million fraud cases.

Read more...
Projections for 2024’s Advanced Threats Landscape
News & Events Information Security
Kaspersky Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT) experts offer insights and projections for 2024 in the Kaspersky Security Bulletin, with a focus on the evolution of Advanced Persistent Threats (APT).

Read more...
Helping South African university students and staff to stay safe
News & Events
Buzzer is a free mobile app that allows users to quickly and easily report incidents of crime, violence, or harassment to campus security and other relevant authorities.

Read more...