HAAD opens two new centers for visa screening tests in Abu Dhabi

Based on HAAD statistics, 1.4 million individuals benefited from visa screening services in Abu Dhabi in 2014 and 884,000 in the first half of 2015. With the two new centers, the number of visa screening centers in Abu Dhabi is a total of 11 centers (four in Abu Dhabi, two in Al Ain and five in the Western Region).

Dr. Farida Al Hosani, Manager of the Communicable Diseases Department at HAAD, said: “Abu Dhabi’s continual growth has seen an increase on the demand for visa screening services. Both new centers will help meet current and future needs, whilst considering the strategic demographics of the Emirate.”

Al Hosani added: “Since 2011, HAAD has been collaborating with several countries, such as Indonesia and Sri Lanka, to ensure that pre-departure testing of expatriates are made prior to their arrival in the UAE. This move helps in minimizing the spread of infections and diseases. Additionally, those arriving from abroad will also undergo screening tests again upon their arrival to the Emirate as an added safety measure."

The first facility – a Visa Disease Prevention and Screening Center (DPSC) - was opened by the Ambulatory Healthcare Services (AHS), a SEHA health system facility. Located in Al Shahama, it offers visa-screening services from 7.00 am to 6.30 pm, Sunday through Thursday, and from 7.00 am to 1.30 pm on Saturdays. Al Shahama Center can serve up to 600 customers per day. It will cater to all residential communities in the surrounding area, such as Al Samha, Al Rahba, Al Bahia, Al Falah and Al Shalila.

Furthermore, in coordination with HAAD, the Capital Health Screening Center, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mubadala Development Company, has recently moved to a new state-of-the-art facility at the Al Jazira Sports Club on Muroor Road in Abu Dhabi city. The center can provide 1200 screenings per day and is open from 7.00 am to 6:30 pm, Sunday through Thursday, and from 7:00am to 1:30pm on Saturdays. The center offers several services such as residency visa screening services, Emirates ID card registration services, in addition to occupational health and pre-employment screenings.

Visa screening tests play a vital role in maintaining public health safety and in the detection of infectious diseases at their early stages. This allows authorities to take effective and timely intervention actions and to prevent them from spreading throughout the community. Visa screening tests are held for diseases such as HIV, Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Leprosy, as well as Hepatitis B and Syphilis in some professionals groups.

To locate the nearest center, visit the website http://www.haad.ae/HAAD/tabid/1201/Default.aspx