Immigration Dept, Ministry of Health e-linked in Dubai

Director-General of the NRD in Dubai Major-General Mohammed Al Marri said electronic link, which represents the second phase of “Takamul project”, is a great achievement that would positively reflect the quality of services.

“The first phase of the project was launched with the Dubai Health Authority during GITEX 2009.”

Takamul project is aimed at developing the electronic services of the General Directorate for Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai and coping with the latest technological developments, particularly those related to the Internet.

Al Marri said the move would help reduce documents on paper and ensure secure and fast data transfer between the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai and Dubai Preventive Medicine Department.

“The project will also curb any legal violations or fraud in official transactions,” he said.

Minister of Health Dr Hanif Hassan said the initiative is the first step in the ministry’s plan for future development in different sectors in lieu of cooperation with local and federal departments.

“The ministry is adopting several programmes to upgrade information systems and facilitate transactions through good communication and information technology,” the minister said.

Lieutenant-Colonel Khalifa Balquba, Assistant Director for External Service Centres, said the Takamul project would accelerate residence visa procedures, and prevent manipulation of medical fitness certificates issued to expatriates who want to stay and work in the country.

“The electronic project operates through a systematic and accurate system beginning from the hospitals of Dubai Medical Zone to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai,” he said.

Director of Preventive Medicine Department Dr Afra Ahmed Bin Zaal said the project includes detailed follow up from the very first step of application, through medical examination, and sending results to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs for visa issuance.

“Should an applicant prove medically unfit, the medical examination would be repeated, and if the re-test showed the same results, the department would be entitled to notify the residency department to blacklist the applicant,” she said.—ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com