News & Updates

QCC verifies accuracy of medical measuring instruments in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC), the entity responsible for developing quality infrastructure in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, carried out an inspection drive to verify the accuracy of medical measuring instruments in the markets and healthcare facilities across Abu Dhabi.

The drive articulated QCC’s ongoing efforts to ensure the metrological compliance of all medical and laboratory measuring devices in close collaboration with the Health Authority – Abu Dhabi (HAAD).

As part of the drive, 1,168 medical devices and measuring instruments were verified. The campaign targeted medical devices sold in markets for domestic use as well as medical devices used in healthcare facilities including blood pressure monitors, medical syringes, and thermometers.

QCC collected the samples of the devices from Abu Dhabi’s healthcare facilities and tested them in its specialised laboratories to ensure the quality and compliance of the measuring instruments with the technical specifications and requirements set by Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA), the authority mandated to regulate measuring standards in the country.

Mohammed Helal Al Balooshi, Director of Marketing & Communications at Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council, said: “The latest inspection drive by the Consumer and Market Services Sector at QCC articulates our commitment to ensuring that all healthcare facilities in Abu Dhabi comply with the mandatory requirements and technical regulations for medical measuring instruments. In addition to boosting our society’s confidence in the accuracy of medical measuring devices, the move will improve the efficiency and transparency levels at our healthcare facilities. This will in turn reflect positively on the overall quality of health services offered in the emirate.”

Eng Amina Hassan Zainal, Director of Metrology Department, Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA), said: “As the entity responsible for implementing the national measurement system of the UAE, ESMA considers the compliance of measuring devices in the healthcare sector a core priority. Such compliance has a direct impact on patient health and diagnosis outcomes as crucial medical decisions are taken based on measurement accuracy. ESMA has released a technical manual outlining the regulatory requirements for medical and laboratory measuring devices that is reviewed and updated in collaboration with relevant entities engaged in the healthcare sector.”

The Medical Measurement Testing Laboratory at QCC provides a host of services including verification of blood pressure measuring devices, medical syringes and digital and infrared medical thermometers. QCC’s inspectors collect samples from markets for testing in its specialised laboratory to ensure their compliance with relevant technical regulations issued by ESMA. The Council also collaborates with the Ministry of Health and HAAD to deal with non-conforming samples.

Furthermore, QCC has signed a cooperation agreement with Abu Dhabi Customs Administration – Department of Finance to monitor all medical measuring instruments brought into Abu Dhabi across its borders. Through this agreement, QCC seeks to increase safety measures and boost public confidence in the quality and compliance of medical instruments retailed in the emirate’s markets.

The Council has also formed a technical committee that comprises representatives from HAAD to coordinate the efforts of all official entities in ensuring the compliance of medical and laboratory measuring instruments used across the healthcare facilities in the emirate. This committee hosts workshops to educate representatives from all healthcare facilities in the emirate about the requirements for medical and laboratory measuring instruments issued by ESMA.