Doha - The Ministry of Public Health announced its decision to postpone the launch of its proposed compulsory premarital medical tests.

Dr Ahmed Kamal Nagi, Director, General Medical Commission, who is also the head of the Committee for Premarital Medical Test, said the committee was forced to put off its September launch of the crucial project due to 'technical reasons'. The new date will be announced after the holy month of Ramadan, he said yesterday.

"We are trying to set up a state-of-the-art laboratory exclusively for the successful implementation of the project. The installation works of the laboratory are fast progressing. We need a little more time for its completion," Dr Nagi told reporters.

Replying to a query he said the project could be launched by the end of this year.

As per the original schedule, the ministry was supposed to introduce the mandatory pre-marriage medical tests for the nationals and residents beginning next month. The ministry and the erstwhile National Health Authority (NHA) were preparing for the project for almost two years, after a law was issued in 2006 regarding this.

The test will have its focus on three areas including genetically transmitted diseases, infectious diseases like HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension.

After the test, the ministry will issue a certificate to each of the desiring couple. Anyone who gets married in Qatar will have to produce this certificate before the court to have the marriage legalised.

Initially, the tests will be conducted at three primary health centres - Al Khor, West Bay and Airport. Later, the facility will be made available at all primary health centres across the country. It would not take more than two weeks to get the results, in normal cases.

Dr Nagi said the committee will soon come out with an extensive media campaign highlighting the needs and objectives of premarital medical tests.

Abdullatif A A Albegaishi, First Consultant, Communications and Media Relations, Ministry of Public Health, and Dr Bassam Qaddoura, Head of Medical Services, General Medical Commission were also present at the press conference.

By Satish Kanady

© The Peninsula 2008

 

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