The first mobile walk-thru test centre in Poland

19.05.2020

Swabbing at the COVID-19 test centre

A mobile test centre for coronavirus in a walk-thru form was opened in Gdańsk, it allows testing for people who don’t have a car or use other means of transport. This is the first walk-thru in Poland prepared for the general collection of swabs for testing for COVID-19. The module was financed by the Olivia Business Center and transferred to the University Clinical Center. Pomeranian Voiviode Dariusz Drelich financed the necessary equipment and personal protection equipment. The launch of the point was possible thanks to the support of the Provincial Sanitary and Epidemiological Station, the Medical University of Gdańsk, the city of Gdańsk and with the approval of the Rector of the University of Gdańsk (the point is located at the entrance gate next to the Faculty of Social Sciences). The module was made available to patients on 18th of May this year. The opening ceremony was attended by: the MUG’s Rector Prof. Marcin Gruchała, Pomeranian Voiviode Dariusz Drelich, the Mayor of the city of Gdańsk Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Rector of the University of Gdańsk Prof. Jerzy Gwizdała, CEO of UCC Jakub Kraszewski, Pomeranian State Sanitary Inspector Tomasz Augustyniak and Maciej Grzybek Ph.D, assignee of the MUG Rector for IMMiT development strategy.

- The walk-thru test center is another valuable initiative that was created thanks to the involvement of employees and students of the Medical University of Gdańsk, University Clinical Center in Gdańsk and the Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine in Gdynia. This innovative solution is another step for us to control the epidemic in our region – said Prof. Marcin Gruchała, Rector of the MUG.

Diagnostic module located at the University of Gdańsk premise

Thanks to the MediMod diagnostic module, the swab can be taken anywhere. Inside the construction there are several seperate zones and a safe lock for collecting material, limiting the contact with the examined person to the necessary minimum. The solutions used ensures safety for medical personnel and the patient. The MediMod diagnostic module, built by VIVIA NEXT, is a self-sufficient research unit, so it can be set up anywhere and doesn’t need an external media source. It was equipped with autonomous sanitary and social facilities. It has a high quality mechanical ventilation system with a dedicated system of division into negative pressure and overpressure zones with HEPA filters. The technology of implementation allows for any change in the functioning of the facility at a later date and its repeated use, as well as relocation to a new place where there is an increased need for testing, which means it is one of the most ecological building solutions. The facility was delivered from the factory all in one, so it could be used immediately after installation on the site.

- Thanks to MediMod, people who are not motorized – and this was the idea behind the drive-thru points, can safely and quickly undergo tests for COVID-19. The diagnostic module located in the city center responds to our need for more efficient organization of diagnostics. I am extremely grateful to Olivia Business Center, that we can use this innovative solution – said Jakub Kraszewski, the CEO of UCC.

Walk-thru test centre

As Voiviode of the Pomeranian Voivodeship Dariusz Drelich emphasized, we have already conducted over 30,000 tests in the region. Each COVID-19 diagnostic center expands its potential in this area.

- Today we are increasing the diagnostic possibilities even more. I am glad that we are opening a collection point also for pedestrians. All five COVID-19 Diagnostic Centers (in Gdynia, two in Gdańsk, Słupsk and Chojnice) are perfectly prepared for sampling. We also invite residents of adjacent voivodeships: Kuyavian-Pomeranian and West Pomeranian to visit – Dariusz Drelich added.

The launch of this unique test point wouldn’t be possible without the support of the Pomeranian Voiviode, Provincial Sanitary and Epidemiological Station and students of the Medical University of Gdańsk. Similarly to the test center that operates at the Energa Gdańsk Stadium, the coordinator of the whole project is the University Clinical Center. Territorial Defense Army watches over our security.

- We joined the forces of the voiviode, universities, private business and the city of Gdańsk for a higher purpose. These two initiatives in Gdansk show that when we cooperate, more can be done. We are the second region in Poland that tests on a big scale and it brings results. Let’s not be afraid to register for tests, the more we know about the disease, the better for us and our environment – Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, the Mayor of the city of Gdańsk summed up.

Registration and admission hours

Swab collection point

The tests are performed after telephone registration. Registrars, based on the answers to the questions asked, qualify the patient for a free examination. The MediMod test point is open from Monday to Friday between 1 p.m and 4 p.m, while on weekends and holidays from 10 a.m till 1 p.m . You can register by calling: 58 727 05 05 (after the connection, please dial the provided internal number) from Monday to Friday from 12 noon to 3 p.m on weekends from 9 a.m till 12 noon.

Fot. Sylwia Mierzewska/UCK