In the bid to increase the COVID-19 testing capacity in the UAE, Ambulatory Healthcare Services (AHS) by the SEHA healthcare Facility has announced that the National Screening Centres in the Emirate will now operate on Fridays and Saturdays. The operating hours have also been expanded from 10 AM to 8 PM.

This development has come in the wake of the announcement by the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Committee for the COVID-19 Pandemic in collaboration with the Department of Health and Abu Dhabi Police permitting people who have received negative test results within the previous 48 hours to enter the Emirate.

As per the latest announcement, all eight National Screening Centres around the UAE which include City Walk, Mina Rashed and Al Khawaneej in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Rask Al Khaimah, and Fujairah, will operate according to the extended hours.

Responding to the development, AHS CEO Mohamed Hawas Al Sadid said that the operating hours of the National Screening Centers have been extended in line with the continuous efforts of the administration to provide easy access to screening services for citizens and residents. He added that this initiative will also double the screening capacity in the centres outside Abu Dhabi.

Adding to his remarks, AHS Chief Operations Officer Dr.Noura Al Ghaithi said that citizens and residents above the age of 12 who wish to enter Abu Dhabi are required to undergo the screening test at one of the National Screening Centres in the Northern Emirates. She also stated that center screening capacities have also bee extended to ensure that same-day appointments are available for the ease of the citizens.

"We advise anyone wishing to undergo the screening test, to book an appointment through the SEHA app, or call Istijaba on 8001717. When booking through Istijaba, people will have the option to pay by card at any of the screening centres," Dr Al Ghaithi added.

Testing will be available for free for the first time for beneficiaries across all National Screening Centres in accordance with the directive given by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Forces.

As per reports, the beneficiaries for free tests include UAE citizens, domestic workers of UAE citizens, all People of Determination, pregnant women, and senior residents aged above 50 years, in addition to people with COVID-19 symptoms and those who have come in contact with virus-infected patients.

However, for repeated tests and those people not included in the list of beneficiaries, the cost of the test is AED 370. As soon as the test result is ready, it will be sent to the individual via SMS, in addition, to be displayed on the Hosn app and SEHA app.

WAM