Coronavirus: DHA's new mobile testing unit can screen up to 1,000 labourers a day

The bus, manned by medical staff, can screen up to 1,000 people a day

Dubai Health Authority deploys mobile testing unit to serve densely populated areas of the city. Wam 

A mobile Covid-19 testing unit has been launched in Dubai and can screen up to 1,000 people a day, the health authority announced.

The “highly-sophisticated” testing bus will serve densely populated areas in the city, including labour accommodation sites.

It will also be accessible to people who are unable to visit health centres, such as the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions.

Humaid Al Qutami, director general of the Dubai Health Authority, said the deployment of the mobile unit throughout the city would help to "increase screening capacity and contain the spread of the virus".

"The expansion and acceleration of medical examinations, particularly in high-density areas and workers' residences, has contributed significantly to reducing the transmission of Covid-19 and helped us boost quarantine operations and treatment for patients,” he said.

The bus has been designed to ensure both medical staff and patients can practice safe social distancing, with on board isolation units in place.

It has also been fitted with an internal and external sterilisation system.

A handful of staff and health professionals will man the bus at any one time to help carry out administration work, swab checks and temperature checks on individuals.

Patients undergoing screening will be required to fill out a registration process and present their Emirates ID.

The mobile unit, designed and manufactured by Naffco, can move around residential areas easily and will safeguard medical staff from potential infection thanks to a number of high-tech features on board.

In March, health authorities in the northern emirates rolled out a mass Covid-19 screening programme to serve up to 200,000 labourers.

Checks were and continue to be carried out at labour accommodation and workplaces in Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Ajman and Sharjah, as part of measures to contain the virus.

The screenings involved checks on temperature, respiratory rate, pulse and blood pressure

and was issued under the direction of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.