Abu Dhabi Joins The Laboratory Of First Mobile Infectious Diseases In The United Arab Emirates

Laboratory cars in Abu Dhabi (Source: Abu Dhabi Media Office)

JAKARTA - The Abu Dhabi Public Health Center launched its first mobile laboratory for infectious diseases in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The level 3 mobile biosafety laboratory is equipped with facilities to treat highly contagious diseases, including Crimea-Kongo hemorrhagic fever and yellow fever.

Authorities said the center increased Abu Dhabi's ability to cope with infectious diseases through rapid, safe and accurate testing.

"The newly launched mobile laboratory will offer rapid and free testing to identify those exposed to viral and pathogenic infections," said Dr Farida Al Hosani, executive director of infectious diseases at public health centers and official spokeswoman for the UAE health sector., reported The National News December 30.

"Abu Dhabi is well equipped and ready to manage adequately every public health threat facing the community," he said.

Mobile lab will be used to assist medical staff at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Al Rahba Hospital, Tawam Hospital, and Zaiat Zayed Hospital.

To operate the mobile laboratory, all technicians in the laboratory have been trained by the assembly plant.

"As the leader of health services, it is the responsibility to ensure public safety in the event of an infectious disease outbreak on our shoulders," said Saeed Al Kuwaiti, group chief executive at the Abu Dhabi Health Service Company.

"The BSL-3 mobile lab launched by ADPHC is a monumental step to further strengthen the preparedness of the UAE infectious disease," he said.

Officials said the facility would be used as a Reference Laboratory for Infectious Diseases after the outbreak, to increase screening and diagnostic work in the UAE region.