The move comes in a framework of strategies driving e-government development, in terms of the social responsibility for environment preservation by reducing use of paper. With the application of this electronic system, manual work on paper in the financial management and accounting departments will cease, with no need for hand signatures and approvals in the exchange of documents.

The electronic system will conserve about 204,000 boxes of paper, which is equivalent to 2.6 tonnes and 510,372 pages per year.

The finance and accounting department director Saif Mohammed Al Qubaisi said: “SEHA is one of the first state-owned companies that is applying this electronic system in all of its affiliated medical facilities. With the aim of making the process easier for clientele and implementing the new business strategies accurately and quickly, the e-system will provide efficient use of the money, time and effort involved in financial management and accountability.”

He added: “The first phase of this system has been successfully launched and has achieved positive results, especially in dealings between the SEHA headquarters and all its medical facilities. If the arrangements to convert budgets, bill payments and other financial procedures to an electronic system go smoothly and quickly, then the second phase of the project will be implemented in due time. This second phase will also allow our suppliers to use the system from their premises and facilitate a direct payment method of their services. Therefore, it will eliminate the need for visits to our headquarters to deliver invoices and follow up on dues. Through a username and PIN, suppliers will be able to access the system, bills and financial documents online.”

Mr Al Qubaisi also explained how the current payroll system is a substantial task that requires lengthy audit and accreditation processes because of the number of employees (approximately 17,000). The implementation of the new electronic system will enable this complicated process to be simplified into the push of a button that approves names on the payroll, while another sends a command to the bank for the transfer of funds. Mr Al Qubaisi commended all departments and teams that worked on the project for their invaluable contribution to the successful launch of the new system.