News

Private clinics not permitted to conduct COVID-19 tests unless required by government

National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) has announced tests related to COVID-19 will be conducted in private clinics only if the government-owned health facilities are unable to meet the testing capacity.

Speaking at the daily press briefing, Spokesperson of NEOC Mohamed Mabrook Azeez said many private clinics have requested permission to conduct COVID-19 related tests. In this regard, Mabrook revealed 6 clinics have requested permission to conduct anti-body tests and PCR tests. However, he added the government has not yet decided to grant permission to private clinics to conduct any COVID-19 related tests.

The spokesperson noted the government may grant permission to private clinics, if the government facilities are unable to meet the testing capacity in the event of an increased amount of testing needed to be done. He said the Ministry of Health has so far not requested the clinics to submit the arrangements made in the facilities to conduct tests for COVID-19.