Gemalto Rolls Out Electronic Social Security Program Nationwide in Algeria

Gemalto Rolls Out Electronic Social Security Program Nationwide in Algeria

Amsterdam & Algiers, March 26, 2008–Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO), the world leader in digital security, today announced that it has started the nationwide roll-out of Algeria’s first electronic healthcare project. Following the success of the pilot phase comprising 700,000 cards in five regions, this pioneering healthcare program in Algeria is poised for nationwide roll-out over the coming two years. This timetable is in line with the deadline set by CNAS (the Algerian national health insurance authority) under the terms of the contract won by Gemalto in 2006. Gemalto is prime contractor for the program, handling end to end implementation of the system for issuing and managing the seven million smartcards used by healthcare beneficiaries and providers.

Gemalto’s solution enables healthcare institutions to manage patient records securely and to verify patient benefits, while maintaining data confidentiality. For healthcare beneficiaries, this new social security smartcard (known as Chifa) simplifies administrative procedures and eliminates paperwork from the submission of claims to the authorities. The high level of transaction security and faster reimbursement represent additional advantages for smartcard users.

Boualem Touati, IT director at CNAS, commented: “The pilot phase proved that the entire system works from one end of the chain to the other. Healthcare beneficiaries, doctors, pharmacists, healthcare organizations, such as social security agencies, can already reap the benefit of the solution implemented with Gemalto. For instance, claim reimbursement times have been cut from 30 to 5 days, and the complete modernization of CNAS’ processing chain will pave the way for a major reduction in operating costs.”

“It represents a large-scale project with a very tight deadline,” added Jacques Seneca, Executive Vice President of Gemalto’s Security Business Unit. “Following a highly successful pilot phase, Gemalto’s teams remain mobilized, ready to see the project through to completion and to support CNAS with future developments in the program.”

About Gemalto

Gemalto (Euronext NL 0000400653 GTO) is the leader in digital security with pro forma 2007 annual revenues of over €1.6 billion, more than 85 offices in 40 countries and about 10,000 employees including 1,300 R&D engineers. In a world where the digital revolution is increasingly transforming our lives, Gemalto’s solutions are designed to make personal digital interactions more convenient, secure and enjoyable. Gemalto provides end-to-end digital security solutions, from the development of software applications through design and production of secure personal devices such as smart cards, SIMs, e-passports, and tokens to the deployment of managed services for its customers. More than a billion people worldwide use the company’s products and services for telecommunications, financial services, e-government, identity management, multimedia content, digital rights management, IT security, mass transit and many other applications.

As the use of Gemalto’s software and secure devices increases with the number of people interacting in the digital and wireless world, the company is poised to thrive over the coming years. Gemalto was formed in June 2006 by the combination of Axalto and Gemplus. For more information please visit http://www.gemalto.com.

Contacts

Gemalto
Rémi Calvet
Tel: +33 (0) 1 55 01 64 10
Mob: +33 (0) 6 22 72 81 58
E-mail: remi.calvet@gemalto.com

Aline Borne
T.: +33 (0)1 55 01 51 05
M.: +33 (0)6 16 29 87 04
E-mail: aline.borne@gemalto.com

TBWACorporate
Sophie Mazoyer
Tel: +33 (0) 1 49 09 26 87
Mob: +33 (0) 6 07 21 08 77
E-mail: sophie.mazoyer@tbwa-corporate.com