- Construction work of Central Main Veterinary Laboratory project at Old Airport area progressing at a good pace
Construction and development works for the Central Main Veterinary Laboratory project in the Old Airport area are progressing well, with around 30-40% completed, a Ministry of Municipality official has said.
Engineer Abdulaziz al-Ziyara, director of the ministry’s Livestock Resources Department, said that the full completion is expected to take about 1-½ years, in accordance with the approved timeline.
It is one of the most prominent strategic projects aimed at strengthening Qatar’s animal health system.
Once completed, the laboratory will include specialised units for advanced testing, and efforts are underway to qualify it as a regional reference laboratory for several tests.
Al-Ziyara said that it will be incorporated into global laboratory networks accredited by the World Organisation for Animal Health.
He noted that while the laboratory falls under the Livestock Resources Department, it will serve various sectors in the country, including the Ministry of Public Health, particularly in relation to diseases shared between humans and animals, stressing that such integration strengthens the country’s health security and preventive systems.
Al-Ziyara pointed out that the laboratory will be equipped with the latest internationally advanced devices specialised in diagnosing and classifying viral and bacterial diseases, as well as disease-tracking and genetic-classification technologies, enabling highly accurate identification of disease strains.
The project encompasses a comprehensive infrastructure upgrade, including structural repairs, the development of laboratory units, and the construction of modern support facilities, such as a fully equipped veterinary pathology building, to enhance the efficiency of diagnostic operations and scientific research.
Such technologies, al-Ziyara added, will directly contribute to selecting appropriate treatments and vaccines for livestock in the country, achieving significant financial savings by importing targeted vaccines for strains present locally only, rather than general, multi-strain vaccines.
He stressed that the development plans aim to transform the laboratory into a global reference authority to which parties may resort in the event of dispute or disagreement between countries over the results of disease testing of animal shipments.
In the meantime, al-Ziyara noted that the number of reference laboratories at the regional level is limited, with only 20-30 facilities, which enhances Qatar’s position as a leader in this field.
During 2024, the department established, equipped, and brought into operation veterinary centres in the barns of Abu Nakhla and Al Shamal complexes.
Further, the building permit for the veterinary centre in the barns of Al Wakra complex has been received, and the tender for construction works has been launched.
Similarly, the land plot has already been allocated and designs prepared for the proposed veterinary centres in the Al Karaana area, the barns of Al Khor complex, and the barns of Al Sheehaniya complex, which have been submitted for approval and tendering.
In addition, al-Ziyara said, the land has been allocated for fencing the barns of Abu Nakhla complex and developing its infrastructure, and preparations are underway to finalise the tender for construction works.
Regarding veterinary quarantine facilities, the official affirmed that the Al Ruwais and Hamad Port quarantine stations represent the first line of defence to protect the country’s livestock wealth and prevent the spread of diseases.