Manitoba introduces digital health wallet

Manitobans can now have their health cards as a digital version stored on a smartphone app.

Eventually other government documents will be available on the Manitoba Digital Wallet as well.

“Digital health cards put Manitobans in control of their own information, make it easier to access care, and support a safer, more responsive health system,” said Premier Wab Kinew.

“It is a practical step that reflects our focus on patient safety, accessibility and putting people first as we make health care better for families.”

It’s the latest development for a health card that saw it upgrade from paper to plastic last year.

The digital health card ends the need to carry a physical card, though Manitobans can still do so should they prefer.

A digital card can be requested at any time.

“By offering this service, Manitoba is putting families at the forefront of modern, accessible health care,” said New Technology Minister Mike Moroz.

Manitoba’s premier touted the app as a way not only able to have your own health card on your phone, but for those with children, they say you can add their health information as well, instead of having multiple cards.

“You don’t have to stop and think on your way out the door, to the hospital or wherever you’re going, the clinic. Did I get the health card? Do I have that health card with me in my wallet? This really does matter in cases of emergencies,” said Uzoma Asagwara, Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care.

The province says they are also trying to help out healthcare workers, as QR code scanners will be placed in hospitals, which they say will allow healthcare workers to scan the QR code instead of having to manually type in information for each patient.

“It’s faster, it reduces errors, and it means more time doing what healthcare workers want to do and what they do best, and that’s focusing on patient care,” said Minister Asagwara.

The Manitoba Digital Wallet is aimed at operating like Apple or Google digital wallets that come with mobile devices, except it will be issued by the Manitoba government.

As for privacy, the province says people will be able to choose what data to share.

It also says the government will not be aware of when someone uses the wallet unless the person uses it at a government agency.

More information on how to apply for a digital health care is available here.

–With files from Francisca Oppong