Abu Dhabi supports international COVID-19 testing efforts

Recent developments in the global pandemic have resulted in an increased demand for quality and timely testing. For this reason, Abu Dhabi has stepped in to support international testing efforts by providing laboratory analysis of COVID-19 samples from outside the UAE. These efforts follow the UAE’s ranking as the leading country worldwide in terms of PCR testing capacity, number of tests conducted per capita, as well as the total number of daily laboratory tests for COVID-19 per capita.

This global achievement builds on cooperation between UAE public and private sector stakeholders. Since the start of the pandemic, Abu Dhabi has successfully increased daily tests rates and laboratory capacity from approximately 1,000 to 170,000 tests per day, using 22 laboratories designated for COVID-19. These laboratories deliver reliable results in a record time of just four hours.

In coordination with the Abu Dhabi-based Agility International Shipping Company, specialising in logistics services, and Etihad Airways, the official carrier of the UAE, the emirate has started to receive thousands of testing samples from overseas, ranging between 5,000 and 10,000 samples per day.

‘Unilabs’ Laboratories, specialising in diagnostics and laboratory services, has operated on a large scale to accelerate the speed of the diagnosis and analysis of samples and extract the results using the Baynunah solution, which was developed and manufactured in Abu Dhabi. Results are provided within 24 hours of the moment samples are shipped to the UAE.

Commenting on the development, Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Hamed, chairman of DoH, said: “Abu Dhabi’s healthcare ecosystem continues to cement its position as one of the leading destinations globally. This initiative reflects the leadership’s belief that winning the fight against this global pandemic can only be achieved through human solidarity and international collaboration. Today, our world-class healthcare infrastructure is being used for the service of greater humanity and to help combat the global spread of the COVID-19 virus. Our support of international COVID-19 efforts has been made possible as a result of our healthy collaborative ecosystem that resulted in partnerships between multiple stakeholders across the public and private sectors in the United Arab Emirates.”

“Recently, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi was in conversation with several countries to support them with conducting laboratory tests in Abu Dhabi. Due to our efficient regulatory environment and the availability of world-class healthcare professionals and capabilities in Abu Dhabi, we were able to provide support along with the logistical know-how of our partners in the public and private sectors. In the meantime, discussions are underway globally to develop a similar framework to tackle the challenges brought on by the pandemic and investigate how Abu Dhabi may provide the necessary support in laboratory testing and other services.”

Mohamed Mubarak Fadhel Al Mazrouei, chairman of Etihad Aviation Group  said: “As the UAE's national carrier, Etihad is proud to be an active partner helping to coordinate and facilitate the country’s world-leading response to Covid-19. This means adapting quickly and moving with flexibility to meet evolving shipment demands and priorities, while providing workable solutions to global challenges. Our continued partnership with local and international government authorities, working closely with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, is testament to our ability to offer extended assistance to nations around the world.”