Welcome to our Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology​ at Dubai Health

Our laboratories are accredited by multiple local and international organizations, including Dubai Health Authority (DHA), College of American Pathologists (CAP), Joint Commission International (JCI), and the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards International (ACHSI), ensuring we meet or exceed international benchmarks.
Our dedicated quality team continuously monitors more than 100 key performance indicators (KPIs) across Dubai Health laboratories, maintaining the highest standards of accuracy, reliability, and patient safety.

Our primary interaction with patients is through their samples rather than direct consultation. While pathologists do not typically see patients directly, they play a vital role in patient care, examining specimens, producing results, and providing treating physicians with expert consultations and recommendations that inform patient management.

In some cases, our team may interact with patients directly when drawing blood or performing certain procedures, always in collaboration with the treating physician.

Turnaround times vary depending on the type of test. Some tests can be processed on the same day or the next, while others, particularly those requiring specialist analysis, may take several days or weeks. Your care team will advise you on the expected timeframe for your specific test.

Most tests are available across all Dubai Health laboratories, with a small number performed at centralized specialist locations. Over 99% of all tests are conducted in-house, with less than 1% referred to external facilities. Our laboratories are located at:
•    Al Jalila Children's Hospital
•    Latifa Hospital
•    Rashid Hospital
•    Dubai Hospital
•    Hatta Hospital
•    Primary Health Care Centers (PHCs)
•    Medical Fitness Centers (MFCs)

Yes. Our laboratories maintain strict criteria for specimen acceptance to ensure the integrity and accuracy of results. Specimens may be rejected for reasons including:
-    Mislabeling or missing patient information
-    Insufficient sample quantity
-    Leaking or damaged containers
-    Incorrect collection or transport temperature
-    Wrong collection tube or container
-    Gross hemolysis or lipemia
In all cases, rejections are documented in our system and the ordering physician is promptly notified.

Yes. Dubai Health laboratories follow a structured policy for communicating critical or urgent results to healthcare providers within a defined timeframe, ensuring timely intervention and appropriate patient care.

Laboratory tests are typically requested by your treating physician as part of your care. Once a test has been ordered, you can visit the laboratory at the Dubai Health facility where you are receiving treatment during its operating hours to have your sample collected. Certain specialized tests may require specific instructions, scheduled appointments, or referral to another laboratory within Dubai Health’s network, and your care team will advise you accordingly.

Dubai Health laboratories offer a comprehensive range of diagnostic services, including Anatomic Pathology, Hematopathology, Clinical Chemistry and Immunology, Clinical Microbiology, Transfusion Medicine, and Blood and Cord Bank Services. These services support the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of a wide range of medical conditions.

Yes. In addition to routine laboratory testing, Dubai Health offers a broad range of specialized diagnostic services, including molecular testing, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, microbiology, transfusion medicine, and stem cell-related services.

Some laboratory tests may require specific preparation, such as fasting, avoiding certain medications, or collecting samples at a particular time. Your treating physician or care team will provide instructions if preparation is required for your test.