If you are familiar with blockchain, you might be wondering how this technology can be useful in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, blockchain platforms give their users the ability to monitor material distribution, relief distribution, donations and other transactions related to the pandemic, in a transparent and fast way, without violating their data.

One of the main features that make blockchain important in defeating the pandemic is digital identity. Companies are able to make collaboration through these platforms in order to find and research ways to fight off this crisis, together. They can also do contract-tracing for applications and maintain needed secrecy.

It can make medical data more transparent, reliable, and secure. During the pandemic, many organizations were accused of data manipulation. In this case, blockchain can be used to avoid such accusations as it provides absolute medical data. In order to keep track of the spread of the virus, the number of recoveries, and the number of infected people, a blockchain-based global map can be very handy.

Also managing health insurance claims can be done through smart contracts and blockchain.

While this makes everything easier when it comes to the pandemic we are living, few countries have adopted this technology. One of the main countries that did so in the UAE. The MOCD (Ministry of Community Development) of the country, switched to digital channels in governmental services, depending on the usage of blockchain systems, chat systems in order to accomplish requests and digital identity by its citizens.

The responsibilities held by this department account also for the establishment of social welfare institutions for issuing marriage licenses and for the disabled.

The ministry stopped accepting any paper documents that it used to get receive in its customer service centers, that UAE calls customer happiness centers, and is instead of accepting the digital documents only.

Minister Hessa Essa Buhumaid admitted that this step shows the commitment of the ministry in ensuring flexibility and continuity when it comes to governmental services in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The local news agency, Emirates News Agency, stated that the ministry is using the blockchain technology for the digital verification of official documents such as certificates of the citizens. It also stated that the blockchain system can currently process more than 2900 documents of different types. The ministry will now be able to provide their services using their smart applications, websites, as well as support the citizens through the phone and e-mail.

Their goal is the limit the visits of the public to the governmental service centers and offices, and access government services online through their digital identity.

The app used is named UAE Pass app and is a national digital identity developed locally. It permits the verification of a user and allows them to e-sign required documents through smartphones.

The UAE is considered strong when it comes to adopting and using such technologies across the country and for different sectors. In fact, the ministry of health does use a blockchain platform to store pharmaceutical and healthcare data. It also uses it to check the credentials of its workers.