MUSCAT -- The Molecular Genetic Laboratory (MGL) set up at the Darsait-based central public health lab facility a few years ago is playing a vital role. The MGL facility offers immediate diagnostic aid to clinics trying to diagnose conditions like Beta-Thalassaemia, Sickle Cell Disease, dysmorphic and mental retardation syndromes among others.
A new project has been started recently making use of the MGL facilities, to diagnose haematological cancers using molecular genetic technology, Dr Ahmad bin Mohammed al Saeedi, Minister of Health, said this in comments to the Observer. Molecular genetic tests are now partly used in pre-marital counselling and pre-conception care including pre-conception screening, carrier screening for common recessive disorders, and ante-natal screening as well.
About 200 cases of inherited disorders could be prevented by correct diagnosis of the first affected child, carrier detection, and counselling. If these cases were not diagnosed in this way, then most of such conditions would have been passed on to their offspring by parents, who are healthy carriers of the disorders.
Premarital carrier screening for haemoglobin disorders and prenatal diagnosis could prevent the incidence of these disorders.
Accordingly, the incidence of congenital malformations, chromosomal disorders and inherited disorders would definitely be reduced. So, the social, economic and family burden borne by the parents with handicapped children will be reduced through premarital counselling, antenatal and neonatal screening programmes. Availability of the MGL facilities increases the chances of every Omani family to have healthy children and ensure early and proper management for those affected by genetic diseases.
A specific pre-marital examination clinic has been functioning in each region in Oman, providing pre conception care. This comprises diagnosis, treatment and counselling for women and their optimal physical and mental health as well as to facilitate a normal pregnancy and delivery of a healthy infant.
By Hasan Kamoonpuri
© Oman Daily Observer 2010
