UAE. Dubai International Airport has opened one of the world’s largest in-house airport laboratories for the processing of COVID-19 RT-PCR tests. The 20,000sq ft lab is a cooperation between Dubai Airports, the Dubai Health Authority and Pure Health.
Located near Terminal 2, the laboratory – which can provide results in just a few hours – is a dedicated facility for around the clock processing of RT-PCR test samples collected from passengers. Using World Health Organization-standard COVID-19 RT-PCR testing equipment, the laboratory can process up to 100,000 samples a day.
It is equipped with negative and positive pressure rooms and is linked to government reporting platforms for secure and easy sharing of information between the health and regulatory authorities and airlines.
The laboratory’s opening quickly follows the announcement of the reopening of Terminal 1 and Concourse D in Dubai International after 15 months.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum said: “The lab is a fine demonstration of Dubai’s collaborative approach to tackling complex challenges and achieving great results. The drastic change in travel norms and the introduction of travel protocols including PCR testing have changed the airport experience of travellers around the world.
“As the world’s busiest international hub preparing for a surge in passenger traffic over the summer holidays and beyond, we were keen to make sure that the airport journey is safer, smoother and faster while fulfilling the required health protocols.
“The lab’s quick turnaround for processing test results will go a long way in helping us deliver a service experience the world expects from Dubai.”
Pure Health Group CEO Farhan Malik said: “Pure Health is proud to be an entrusted partner of the UAE to support this initiative. As the largest lab operator in the country and an established healthcare provider, we are aiming to secure the safety of this nation’s citizens, residents and visitors by contributing to a new standard of healthcare that benefits the people and communities around us.”
He added: “Since the start of the pandemic we have continuously worked with the UAE government to bring the best testing solutions, following international quality standards and faster result reporting, to ensure we support our partners in this very dynamic environment.”
