Photo has been used for illustrative purposes.

Imran Mojib, Special Correspondent

The National Screening Project in Musaffah, Abu Dhabi, has become a platform for Public-Private Partnership (PPP). Overseen by Ambulatory Healthcare Services (AHS), the massive testing campaign is held in partnership with the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, Abu Dhabi Police, Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, Department of Municipalities and Transport, and Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship along with VPS Healthcare from the private sector.

As part of its participation in this government initiative, VPS Healthcare has operated a large scale testing site located in M12 near Al Masoud in Musaffah. The provisional facility can test 3,500 persons daily. The healthcare group has deployed over 50 staff, including doctors, nurses and technicians to manage the operations at the testing facility. The makeshift facility was operated in record time to facilitate maximum testing among residents and create awareness among people on ways to avoid infection.
The testing process across the temporary facilities are safe and easy. Physical distancing norms are followed and it is no-touch from start to finish. Apart from the regular COVID-19 test, VPS Healthcare is providing additional services on-site.

The persons coming to the testing site are triaged at the entrance. Asymptomatic persons are categorised as ‘green’ and given health education before leaving the centre, while those with mild symptoms as ‘yellow’ and undergo the nose swab for COVID-19. Meanwhile, persons with severe symptoms belong to the ‘red category’ and are attended by doctors and undergo additional testing. The mobile health unit of the VPS Healthcare stationed at the area conducts these tests, including X-ray, ECG, and blood tests in high-risk patients. Those critically ill are then transferred to the hospital on ambulance stationed at the testing site.

Those who have undergone COVID-19 tests receive their results directly to mobile phones as an SMS. Positive patients will be contacted by the hospital and will be given an appointment to consult a doctor for the treatment.