Authorities to Deploy Digital ID in the Health Sector

ADDIS ABABA – Authorities rolled out a new initiative to implement the Ethiopian Digital ID, also known as Fayda, in the health sector.

The biometric digital ID is already on the fast track to becoming a primary ID for banking operations in the country.

The Ministry of Health and the Office of the National ID Program now jointly announced a “Digital ID for Health” initiative.

The joint initiative leverages the digital biometric digital ID as a foundation for health registration systems.

Its main goal, the NID program Office says, is to integrate Fayda with the health sector, enabling all stakeholders and beneficiaries to obtain “a unique primary identification”.

This primary ID will serve as a foundation for providing subsequent services such as a unique patient index, national health insurance schemes, and more.

This “will serve as a pivotal milestone in our mission to transform the Ethiopian health ecosystem into a more efficient, transparent, and patient-centric system,” the Office of the National ID said in a statement.

The digital ID is expected to streamline the administration, licensing, and credential verification processes for healthcare workers.

“This will eliminate bureaucratic hurdles, foster transparency, and uphold professional standards within the health sector,” the statement reads.

It further states that Fayda will guarantee seamless interaction between patients and healthcare services “by making patient data easily accessible, enabling accurate and improved delivery of health services.”

“This will promote a transparent and secure process, reducing wait times associated with registration and record retrievals, ultimately enhancing the overall quality of care,” it says.

The government is currently implementing the Digital ID nationwide, with a target to enroll all eligible Ethiopians by the end of 2025.