Drive-through coronavirus testing centre opens in Sharjah

Private facility can conduct up to 20,000 tests a day

NMC Healthcare’s chief executive, Michael Davis, with Clancey Po, president of operations, and Dr Kishan Pakkal, the hospital’s general manager, opened the new drive-through facility with local community leaders, doctors and hospital staff. Photo: NMCShow less

A private drive-through coronavirus testing centre has opened in Sharjah.

The 1,393-square-metre facility can process up to 20,000 tests a day, according to its operator, NMC Healthcare.

The average time from registration to swab collection is less than five minutes.

The UAE was one of the first countries in the world to use mass testing for Covid-19 in March 2020, to restrict the pandemic.

Undertaking regular PCR tests to help continue the fight against Covid-19 is a personal responsibility of every individual to promote the health and safety of the loved ones around them

Dr Ahmed ElMansoury

"The population in many neighbourhoods in Sharjah is dense," said Dr Ahmed ElMansoury, consultant pulmonologist at NMC Royal Hospital, Sharjah. "[So] in order to block the chain of infection, it is important for every member of the community to practise Covid protocols.

“Undertaking regular PCR tests to help continue the fight against Covid-19 is a personal responsibility of every individual to promote the health and safety of the loved ones around them.”

The centre opened this week in a ceremony attended by NMC Healthcare’s chief executive, Michael Davis.

“As we dedicate yet another Covid-19 PCR drive-through facility to serve the ever-growing needs of the community, we remain grateful to the Sharjah Health Authority and Ministry of Health and the larger community for the trust that they have placed in us,” said Mr Davis.

The centre is open daily from 9am to 7pm.

PCR testing tent in Jafiliya – in pictures

The PCR testing centre in Dubai's Jafiliya area can carry out 1,000 tests a day. All photos: Ruel Pableo for The National

The centre can be easily reached by Dubai Metro.

The centre is open for walk-in appointments.

A health worker freezes a swab collected at the testing centre located in the car park of Dubai's main immigration office.

Tests cost Dh125, Dh80 for blue-collar workers.

The centre was set up by the Right Health group, which has opened affordable clinics for workers across the UAE.

Staff register people at the centre.

The centre will serve those that live in the neighbourhood.

A man fills in his details before having a PCR test.

Immigration staff are able to get tested for Dh65.

The centre is near the Jafiliya metro station.

The walk-in facility enables people to get tested quickly and easily.