Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) has introduced the UAE’s first mobile BSL-3 (Biosafety level 3) laboratory in Abu Dhabi.
Equipped to handle highly infectious disease agents — including Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, Yellow fever, and more — the BSL-3 mobile laboratory will enhance the emirate’s infectious disease preparedness through swift, safe and accurate testing of communicable diseases, according to the Abu Dhabi Government Media Office.
Enhance preparedness
Matar Saeed Al Nuaimi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, said: “The launch of the mobile BSL-3 (Biosafety level 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.”
Dr Farida Al Hosani, Executive Director of Infectious Diseases and Official Spokesperson for the UAE Health Sector, said: “This newly launched state-of-the-art mobile laboratory will offer swift and free testing to identify those exposed to viral infections and pathogens. Abu Dhabi is well-equipped and prepared to adequately manage any public health threat that faces the community.”
The mobile laboratory will be accessible across four sites in Abu Dhabi, including Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), Al Rahba Hospital, Tawam Hospital, and Madinat Zayed Hospital.
Staff training
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 safely operate within the laboratory.
In addition, SKMC Biosafety and Quality team will be overseeing the biosafety and quality aspects.
Saeed Jaber Al Kuwaiti, Group Chief Executive Officer at Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), said: “As healthcare leaders, the responsibility of ensuring public safety in the event of infectious disease outbreak falls on our shoulders.
The mobile BSL-3 lab launched by ADPHC is a monumental step towards further fortifying UAE’s infectious diseases preparedness. 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.”
The mobile laboratory will be mobilised by the Reference Laboratory for Infectious Diseases, Abu Dhabi (RLID-AD) (surveillance laboratory), in times of outbreaks, to augment the screening and diagnostic capacities of communicable diseases in the emirate. The BSL-3 mobile laboratory has been designed to operate according to international best practices.
