Abu Dhabi opens assessment centres for Covid-19 patients

The Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) has opened Covid-19 Prime Assessment Centres in Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and Al Ain Convention Centre with a capacity of 2,000 and 1,500 respectively.

The centres, managed by Ambulatory Healthcare Services (AHS), a SEHA healthcare facility, will address the needs of all Covid-19 positive patients.

These individuals will undergo an initial assessment at the centre and then receive further guidance on how to deal with the virus, reported official news agency WAM.

Patients who test positive will receive an SMS instructing them to visit one of the Covid-19 Prime Assessment Centres with colour-coded sections to help direct them.

When there, they will be directed to the Yellow Hall where their vital signs are checked, followed by registration in SEHA’s electronic medical record, Salamtak, and an additional nasal swab.

Patients are advised to then go home and follow home quarantine guidelines until they receive their result by SMS, SEHA app or the Al Hosn app.

Read: Public urged to download ALHOSN UAE Covid-19 tracing app

However, If the medical assessment indicates that the patient’s condition is unstable, they will be redirected to the Red Zone to undergo additional testing including ECG, blood tests, X-ray, and CT scan followed by consultation with a doctor to determine whether they need to be transferred to a hospital or if they can proceed home.

If the patient’s new test result comes back as negative, he will be directed via an SMS to visit the Purple Hall to be tested once more to reconfirm the result.

Meanwhile, if the result is positive, he will visit the Blue Hall to undergo examination and assessment and then either put on the electronic watch for home quarantine or transported to an isolation facility.

The Covid-19 Prime Assessment Centers care in addition to the 24 screening centres and three field hospitals managed by SEHA.

The Prime Assessment Centres will be staffed by medical professionals and multi-lingual volunteers.

“As the first stop for patients testing positive for Covid-19, this new centre plays a pivotal role in combating the virus and preventing its spread. In line with DOH standards, patients who test positive are required to undergo the test once more in order to confirm the results and put the appropriate plan for the patient. The centre was designed in accordance with the highest standards of safety and infection control with separate passageways and halls for the different categories visiting the centre. Furthermore, and given the importance of preventive measures in the fight against COVID-19, we ensured that visitors receive education on preventive measures for home quarantine and isolation guidelines,” said Mohamed Hawas Al Sadid, AHS chief executive officer.

The centre is open seven days a week from 8am-8pm. There are also designated stations for senior citizens and residents, people of determination, families, and ladies. Visitor privacy and confidentiality are maintained at all stages of the process.

“The establishment of the new assessment centre is yet another example of the country’s drive to join efforts and share resources as we deliver on our leadership’s vision. We recently achieved the two million tests milestone as a result of the remarkable efforts and combined drive from both the healthcare industry and supporting partners, and look forward to working with our partners to ensure that all members of the community have access to safe and accurate testing with a clear and defined follow-through process,” said Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Hamed, chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi.

The UAE registered 571 Covid-19 cases on June 3, following 41,000 tests conducted across the country to screen for the virus.

The tally of infections reported in the UAE now stands at 36,359.

Read also: UAE reports 571 Covid-19 cases, 1 death; infections cross 36,000