Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) has announced plans to launch the Emirates Reference Laboratory (ERL), under the directives of Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The laboratory, which is a key part of DHCC, will provide UAE and GCC patients with access to efficient, reliable and cost-effective pathology testing services, in addition to specialised services that are currently unavailable in the region, said a Wam new agency report.

Dr Ali Ridha Al Hashimi will oversee the establishment of the ERL. He currently holds the positions of administrative director of the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL), director of pathology services at the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), director-general of Dubai Herbal & Treatment Centre (DHTC), and steering committee member of Dubai Equine Hospital (DEH).

Dr Al Hashimi will also appoint key team members and work closely with government and regulatory bodies to make the ERL facilities a reality.

"The Emirates Reference Laboratory is one of many projects that Dubai is implementing to improve quality and access to world-class healthcare, through the DHCC," said chairperson of Dubai Healthcare City Authority HRH Princess Haya bint Al Hussein.

"I am very grateful for the DHCC team’s efforts in working towards those goals, and as we continue to work hand in hand, we will achieve great results, positioning Dubai as the healthcare destination of the Middle East. I am also confident that Dr Ali Ridha’s passion for medical sciences is evident in his many accomplishments in the field, and his wealth of experience equips him with the skillset needed to oversee the laboratory and ensure that it operates at world-class standards," she added.

Through its operations the ERL’s primary objective is to serve Dubai, the UAE and the GCC’s needs for advanced medical testing, which, up until now, is currently being outsourced to laboratories in Europe, Asia and Australia. It will also play a key role in supporting professors from Mohamed Bin Rashid University Hospital (MBRUH) in their undertaking of advanced medical research, and in turn will provide a unique learning experience for MBRUH students.

The long-term goal of the ERL is to allow existing and future DHCC hospitals including MBRUH, Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital and Dubai Bone and Joint Hospital to have specialised and advanced testing undertaken at ERL.