ABU DHABI – Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) has set up the first-ever Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) mobile laboratory in the United Arab Emirates.
The BSL-3 mobile laboratory is well-equipped with the latest equipment that will enable researchers to handle highly infectious disease agents while ensuring they are prepared to adequately manage any public health threat that faces the community.
In a press release, ADPHC announced that the mobile laboratory will be mobilised by the Reference Laboratory for Infectious Diseases, Abu Dhabi (RLID-AD) to augment the screening and diagnostic capacities of communicable diseases across the emirate in times of outbreaks.
“The BSL-3 mobile laboratory has been designed to operate according to international best practices,” ADPHC informed.
Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre further said that all laboratory technicians who will be working inside the lab and handling high-threat level pathogens have undergone intense training by the manufacturer, and on-site safety training to operate within the facility safely.
“This newly launched state-of-the-art mobile laboratory will offer swift and free testing to identify those exposed to viral infections and pathogens,” the entity based in the UAE stated.
The first of its kind in the UAE, the advanced facility will be accessible across four sites in Abu Dhabi, including Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), Al Rahba Hospital, Tawam Hospital, and Madinat Zayed Hospital.
“SKMC Biosafety and Quality team will be overseeing the biosafety and quality aspects,” Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre highlighted.
The BSL-3 mobile laboratory will also enhance Abu Dhabi’s infectious disease preparedness through swift, safe and accurate testing of communicable diseases.
Director-General of ADPHC Matar Saeed Al Nuaimi said: “The launch of the mobile BSL-3 laboratory in the emirate will support us in enhancing the preparations of the capital to respond to, control, and investigate infectious diseases, and achieve the vision of ADPHC towards enhancing a healthy and safe community.”
“Since the establishment of ADPHC in 2019, under the guidance of our wise leadership, ADPHC has created a positive impact on the standards of public health in Abu Dhabi and established strategic partnerships to maintain health and safety in society.” Matar Saeed added.
Saeed Jaber Al Kuwaiti, Group Chief Executive Officer at Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), underscored that the mobile BSL-3 lab launched by ADPHC is a monumental step towards further fortifying UAE’s infectious diseases preparedness.
He stressed that the responsibility of ensuring public safety in the event of an infectious disease outbreak falls on the shoulders of healthcare leaders.
“We are extremely honoured to house the mobile BSL-3 lab at SKMC, Tawam, and Al Rahba Hospital. We remain committed alongside the government and ADPHC in protecting the community against infectious diseases.” Saeed Jaber reassured the UAE population.
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