Digital transformation success

TDT | Manama

ID card eService transactions have increased by 310 per cent in 2020, compared to that of last year, the Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA) has said.

The spike follows the launch of a comprehensive mix of identification (ID) card and population registry eServices last month, in response to the directives of HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister.

HRH the Crown Prince ordered to unify and strengthen the Kingdom’s efforts to curtail the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), whereby the eServices launched by the Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa to increase the benefit of citizens and residents from these services, to be able to conduct them from the comfort of their homes while exempting them from personal attendance at the service centres during these times.

iGA Chief Executive Mohammed Ali Al Qaed said that the Minister’s directives to introduce this comprehensive mix of eServices have greatly benefited citizens and residents.

“This is demonstrated by the 310 per cent jump in the total number of identity card services transactions to 19,000, compared with 4,585 transactions completed in the same period last year, following the addition of the birth and address certification, qualification status update eService in 2020,” explained Al Qaed.

The Minister’s directives on ID card and population registry eServices are in line with social-distancing measures to protect the health and safety of beneficiaries and employees, as part of national efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19, he added.

“All these services can be availed via the national portal bahrain.bh and iGA’s digital channels. “Eight of the eServices are new, including an ID card details update service via self-service kiosks, population registry updates, and declaration and pledge forms, as well as a number of address-related services such as new address certification, and the updating or deleting of addresses listed in the system,” Al Qaed said.

Four other services were revamped, including family ID card services and the comprehensive ID card services, bringing the total number of eServices provided by the iGA to 23.

In addition to improving the comprehensiveness of ID card eServices, precautionary measures being taken include the freezing of fingerprint update services for children four years and older due to the higher risk faced by this age group, the accepting of requests via the email address ID@iga.gov.bh to allow for swifter communication in the case of any problems with transactions conducted via the national portal, a reduction in the working hours of service centres and disinfection of all premises, including offices and waiting areas, every hour and a half.

These precautions have contributed to reducing the number of physical visits by beneficiaries, supporting national efforts to protect public health, he said.