SHARJAH - May 18, 2020:  Pure Health, the largest laboratory operator in the GCC, has setup a full-fledged field laboratory dedicated to the nation’s fight against Covid-19.

The new field laboratory was setup within a 48 hours window, within the Covid -19 dedicated field hospital setup by the UAE government at the Sharjah Expo Center. The new field laboratory plays a key role in the UAE’s initiative to contain and fight Covid-19. 

In order to strengthen the UAE’s fight against COVID-19, the UAE’s government built the Covid – 19 field hospital on April 10, 2020 with the specialized laboratory set up by Pure Health at a record time of 48 hours. The facility, aimed at increasing patient capacity amid the Covid-19 outbreak, has raised the nationwide hospital capacity to more than 5,000 beds in total.

Commenting on the state-of-the-art field laboratory facility, Samia Al Balooshi, Area Laboratory Manager at Pure Health and the field Laboratory in-charge said, “We are glad to collaborate with the UAE Healthcare regulators, in the nation’s fight against the Covid-19 pandemic since its outspread in the UAE. We created these specialized Field laboratories so that we can provide a more targeted approach with regards to screening, and testing. By having multiple mini laboratories, we can also shorten the time needed for reporting, the quicker we provide these results, the quicker actions can be taken by healthcare providers and authorities, which leads to saving lives and a better control of the disease spread”

“This is an unprecedented time with a need for conducting higher volume of tests. The medium sized laboratory setup at the field hospital provides over 700 specialized tests including baseline hematology screening and blood works such as CBC, liver function enzyme, renal function, electrolytes, ferritin and CRP, ensuring a fast turn around time for results to ensure better clinical response for patients.  

The facility also provides the latest point of care testing for arterial blood gas to monitor critical cases and glucose ‘Point of Care’ testing for diabetic cases that require regular monitoring of blood glucose levels,” Mrs. Samia added. 

The field lab is fully connected with the latest laboratory information system directly connected to the healthcare network. With the web-based IT system, Pure Health has streamlined testing workflows and made data easily accessible from all parties, thereby accelerating testing in the facility.

Spearheaded by an Emirati female expert, a total of 10 medical lab professionals of different nationalities are part of the lab working 24/7 at the field laboratory.