Mussafah screening centre in Abu Dhabi shuts down after over 100,000 tests

Abu Dhabi - The centre had a capacity to test 3,500 persons daily, and more than 6,000 blue-collar workers were screened in a special shift.

On a day when cultural hubs across Abu Dhabi reopened, a Covid-19 screening centre in the industrial area of Mussafah was shut, marking the end of a six-week comprehensive testing programme.

On Wednesday, work started on the winding-up operations of Al Massoud Screening Centre run by VPS Healthcare. So far, 100,000 residents were tested at the centre in a two-month project.

The Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (Seha) said that the National Screening Project in densely populated Musaffah has proved to be a platform for public-private partnership.

The health authorities had on Tuesday announced successful completion of the project with a total of 570,000 tests being done across Mussafah, thereby fully containing the spread of the virus among residents, especially blue-collar workers. In a block-by-block drive, residents of 2,730 buildings were screened and 260 residential complexes sanitised.

Two months of tests

On Wednesday, the 36-member frontline team of VPS Healthcare celebrated the closure of the screening centre, which had started operations on May 3.

The frontline workers deployed to support the government mission had worked throughout these days. The team screened individuals at the camp from 9am until 3pm during Ramadan, and from 8am to 4pm on other days.

The screening centre had a capacity to test 3,500 persons daily, and more than 6,000 blue-collar workers from various labour accommodations were screened in a special shift. They underwent Covid-19 tests during the night from 2am to 10am. Those tested positive were treated at various VPS facilities in Abu Dhabi and Musaffah.

Screenings flattened curve

Safeer Ahamed, CEO of LLH, Lifecare and Medeor hospitals, said the group was proud to have successfully supported the government in a pivotal mission. He lauded the tireless work of his team of doctors, radiographers, nurses, administration staff, ambulance drivers and others.

"The massive screening programme had played a significant role in containing the spread of the viral infection. The UAE leadership and Department of Health - Abu Dhabi have done a commendable job."

Earlier this week, health authorities said the rate of confirmed cases had dipped to less than one per cent in the city.

"We had screened 99,130 persons during this period. We believe this has helped in flattening the curve in the capital city. Being a responsible healthcare provider, we are ready to support the government in future endeavours. We are still conducting screenings in various parts of the emirate as per the directive of the Department of Health."

• Abu Dhabi