Mobile Telco Du Reveals New Blockchain Healthcare Partnership

One of the UAE's largest telcos has announced a new partnership in its ongoing drive to begin securing health records on a blockchain.

Announced today

, Du will partner with NMC Healthcare to implement electronic health records using blockchain tech. The aim, according to the firms, is to bring data integrity, security and trust to the relationship between health providers and patients.

Carlos Domingo, chief new business and innovation officer at Du, sought to stress these benefits in remarks, stating:

"By digitizing all health records, and putting them in blockchain technology, data can be shared and distributed across all hospitals. We are looking at fully digitizing the health system with blockchain technology to assure data integrity with zero error and guarantee end-to-end accountability of the patients’ records.”

The project, which will see the firms collaborate with Estonian blockchain technology startup Guardtime, is slated for final delivery early next year.

Overall, the move is the latest for Du, one of two authorized telecom providers in the UAE.

The company first announced its proposed focus on health records in June, unveiling its effort as part of a showcase for Dubai's government-backed Global Blockchain Council. Launched in early 2016, the group boasts more than 30 local businesses as members.

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