A big step for public health
Through this initiative, Abu Dhabi is providing doctors and healthcare authorities with an important tool that supports rapid diagnosis and immediate intervention, helping to strengthen prevention and public health protection throughout the community.
Fahad Ghareeb Al Shamsi said: “The activation of this service represents a major transformation in Abu Dhabi’s public health ecosystem. The emirate is no longer dependent on sending samples abroad and now has sovereign capabilities for rapid and accurate detection of blood toxins within hours instead of days or weeks.”
He added that the service also ensures continuity, avoids the risks associated with transporting samples and strengthens Abu Dhabi’s readiness to respond to health emergencies.
“This capability not only improves the quality of healthcare services, but also reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading regional center in laboratory testing,” he said.
Supporting preventive health care
Abdulla Hassan Al Muaini said the service was developed in collaboration with strategic partner M42 and goes beyond routine testing.
“It represents an advanced platform that supports medical and research decision-making and enables relevant authorities to develop prevention plans,” he said.
Al Muaini added that the service was developed by national specialists using advanced technologies such as ICP-MS, along with specialized equipment designed to preserve samples for years at ultra-low temperatures reaching minus 80°C.
The Central Testing Laboratory is currently working with M42 to provide the service to several healthcare and strategic entities, including the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, with plans to expand it to other government entities in the future.
Officials said the achievement reflects Abu Dhabi’s long-term commitment to strengthening healthcare innovation, developing advanced scientific infrastructure and building a proactive healthcare system based on evidence-based decision-making.
Abdullah Rashid Al Hammadi is an accomplished Emirati journalist with over 45 years of experience in Arabic and English media. He currently serves as the Abu Dhabi Bureau Chief for Gulf News. Al Hammadi began his career in 1980 with Al Ittihad newspaper, where he rose through the ranks to hold key editorial positions, including Head of International News, Director of Research Center and Acting Managing Editor. A founding member of the UAE Journalists Association and a former board member, he is also affiliated with the General Federation of Arab Journalists and the International Federation of Journalists. Al Hammadi studied Information Systems Technology at the University of Virginia and completed journalism training with Reuters in Cairo and London. During his time in Washington, DC, he reported on Alittihad and became a member of the National Press Club. From 2000 to 2008, he wrote the widely read Dababees column, known for its critical stance on social issues. Throughout his career, Al Hammadi has conducted high-profile interviews with prominent leaders, including the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and key Arab figures such as the late Yasser Arafat and former presidents of Yemen and Egypt. He has reported on major historical events such as the Iran-Iraq war, the liberation of Kuwait, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the creation of the Palestinian Authority. His work continues to shape and influence journalism in the UAE and beyond in the Arab world.
