The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health (MoH) has set-up a mobile lab outside East Arafat Hospital.
A Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) mobile lab has been installed, as part of the public-health preparedness programme for Hajj.
The laboratory will be used to detect microorganisms, which cause epidemic and infectious diseases.
The lab will help in the screening and diagnosis of pilgrims, suspected to have infectious diseases such as MERS-CoV.
The deputy director of King Fahad Centre for Medical Research of King Abdulaziz University (KAU) and Member of MOH Council of Medical Advisors Dr Esam Ibraheem Azhar said: "The implementation and use of the mobile lab for the first time during Hajj is the fruit of increased cooperation between the King Abdulaziz University (KAU) and the MoH.
"The mobile lab is equipped with high-tech diagnostic and safety instruments to help identify and contain infectious pathogens."
The lab will be operated by a team of specially trained experts, noted Dr Azhar.
Dr Azhar further said that multiple agencies work together during Hajj season to provide better service to pilgrims.
Image: Saudi has set-up a mobile lab outside East Arafat Hospital. Photo: courtesy of Ministry of Health – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia © 2014.
