To contain coronavirus (COVID-19) and ensure the fastest return to normal, the leadership and government of the United Arab Emirates have opened 14 COVID-19 test centres. The centres were established across the country upon the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The first centre was inaugurated earlier this month by the Abu Dhabi health services company SEHA in Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi combating the spread of the virus and maintaining the community’s health and safety. More than 300 employees and volunteers helped build the testing centres, which span a total area of 23,000 square metres, over a period of 10 days. The facilities are staffed by 630 qualified medical, nursing, technical and administrative workers who have been trained to test drive-through patients.

The 14 centres are equipped with the latest technologies that enable the medical and technical personnel to provide healthcare to citizens and residents within five minutes, without leave their car, while meeting the highest international standards. The tests currently being used are to see if somebody currently has Covid-19. These are done by taking a nose or throat swab, which is processed immediately to look for signs of the genetic material of the virus. The other type of test the government wants to use is an antibody test. These are done to see if someone has already had the virus.

The centres are in Ghayathi, Madinat Zayed (Al Dhafra), Al Bahia and Al Wathba in Abu Dhabi, Al Hili and Asharej in Al Ain, Port Rashid and Al Khawaneej in Dubai and individual facilities have been built in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah. The centres opened consecutively over this week, and have since tested more than 12,000 people. To book a Covid-19 test, people must call 8001717 or use the Seha mobile app. Priority COVID-19 testing will be given to those with symptoms, senior citizens, pregnant women and those who suffer from chronic diseases. Precautionary examinations will cost Dh370, and payment will be done electronically through the SEHA application. 

The Abu Dhabi centres, including those in the city, Al Wathba, Al Bahia and Al Ain, open between 8am to 8pm, from Sunday to Thursday. Each centre can test 600 people daily. The Abu Dhabi centres in Ghayathi and near the Madinat Zayed Council in Al Dhafra are open from 8am to 12pm, then 4pm to 8pm every day except Fridays. Centres in Port Rashid and Al Khawaneej in Dubai and each facility in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah are open from 10am to 6pm Sunday to Thursday. Each of these facilities can test 500 people per day.

These screening centers in the UAE are rapidly becoming a world model in manging the pandemic, in fact many countries are organizing to implement the same measures that will help a fastest return to normal.

To achieve this goal, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on Sunday launched the National Home Testing Programme for People of Determination, for UAE citizens and residents, to ensure all segments of the community have adequate access to testing facilities. The new programme supports and complements the efforts of the drive-through testing facility for COVID-19 nationwide. The home testing programme targets People of Determination who are unable to easily reach the testing centres, especially those who are unable to move normally or who are unable to express or have difficulty communicating with others. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed directed that a timetable be made, count cases in coordination with the concerned ministries, and start the coronavirus swab measures to complete the programme in 30 days.

This step aims to facilitate preventive measures and access to all members of society, including People of Determination, as they are the focus of this first of its kind programme in the world. It is also part of the UAE leadership’s keenness to ensure the rights of the targeted segment, provide them with all services within the limits of their capabilities, and ensure a safe, healthy and decent living for them. Specialised teams from concerned authorities will implement the programme according to the World Health Organisation’s standards, in addition to providing health and preventive advice to all who need it. UAE has shown significant effectiveness in taking preventive measures to limit the spread of coronavirus, implementing stringent procedures at its borders, using thermal scanners, and has also trained qualified medical teams that are available around the clock for residents and visitors. The UAE supported an epidemiological investigation system, providing strategic reserves of essential medical supplies for the early detection of the virus, quarantine and medical isolation campaigns, and building fully equipped isolation rooms. The UAE leadership managed the crisis efficiently and competently, confirming itself as a model for other countries in the region and for governments around the world.