In a step that reflects Abu Dhabi’s growing contribution to global health security, the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre has announced that its Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, located at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, has been accredited by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the national laboratory for measles and rubella, joining the organisation’s global network of laboratories dedicated to monitoring and controlling both diseases.
The accreditation represents international recognition of Abu Dhabi’s national capabilities in the accurate detection of measles and rubella cases and rapid response readiness, supporting efforts to eliminate both diseases while strengthening the UAE’s disease surveillance and prevention systems.
The recognition followed a comprehensive external assessment conducted by WHO experts, covering laboratory quality performance, biosafety standards, and diagnostic accuracy, reaffirming the laboratory’s commitment to the highest international standards in infectious disease diagnostics.
The laboratory applies advanced serological and molecular diagnostic techniques that help accelerate case detection, enhance surveillance efficiency, and support data-driven public health decision-making. It operates as part of Abu Dhabi’s connected smart health ecosystem, where laboratory intelligence is transformed into actionable insights that enable early surveillance and coordinated response through the Unified Medical Operations Command Center and relevant authorities, helping strengthen preparedness against health risks.
