9,300 pre-marriage health checks amid campaign

HEALTH CHECKS: More than 9,300 pre-marriage health screenings have been conducted since the launch of a campaign in the UAE. (Getty Images)

More than 9,300 pre-marriage health screenings have taken place in the past six months, following a campaign by health chiefs in the UAE.

Clinics at all Ministry of Health centres have conducted a total of 9,398 tests in the period as health officials aim to crack down on the number of children born with hereditary diseases.

Screening tests cover hereditary diseases and blood disorders as well as diseases that need bacterial and viral screening tests and diseases like hepatitis, AIDS and other life-threatening diseases.

It has been found that Arab societies are more prone to these diseases as they have the tradition of marrying close relatives.

Statistics show that one child out of 25 is affected by hereditary diseases because of genetic disturbance in the first 25 years of life, including mental retardation or physical handicap.

These diseases can be prevented, health chiefs say, if these pre-marriage screenings are done.

The campaign was conducted by the Ministry in association with BinSina Pharmacy to raise the awareness among nationals and expatriates in the country on the importance of conducting tests before marriage.

Humaid Mohamed Al Qutami, UAE minster of health, said: "We hope this campaign will minimise the social, psychological and economic consequences of genetic diseases that are  passed on to children through marriage."

He added: "The ministry is keen to send the message that ignoring these tests is dangerous not only to the couples and their children, but  also to the society as a whole".

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