UAE campaign for premarital screening under way

Dubai: The UAE Ministry of Health and BinSina Pharmacy have joined forces to launch a nationwide campaign for premarital screening as part of a comprehensive effort to create a healthier society by preventing certain diseases.

Hamid Mohammad Obaid Al Qutami, UAE Minister of Health (MoH) said: "This campaign is designed to enhance health awareness and encourage the prevention of contagious and genetic diseases, in order to promote the social, economic and physiological well-being of people in the UAE."

He said the ministry is seeking to enhance mass awareness firstly among people who are intending to get married and generally among all sections of society by highlighting the serious consequences of ignoring these simple screening tests.

"Such negligence not only affects the couple but also their children, their future generations and society as a whole," he added.

Screening tests cover hereditary diseases and viruses like hepatitis and Aids and other life-threatening diseases.

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

These diseases can be prevented if premarital screenings are done. Nine out of the 25 children will die early or will need special care

Brochures

Ahmad Al Khayyat, Managing Director of Alphamed Group, the parent company of BinSina Pharmacies, said this campaign is a result of close cooperation between the MoH and private sector corporations that believe in corporate social responsibility.

"The message we are trying to convey is that these simple screenings could help build a disease-free marriage," he said.

BinSina will be distributing brochures to customers raising awareness about pre-marital screening and motivating them to have the tests carried out.

These tests will be carried out at specialist MoH centres located all over the country.

How important is medical history when deciding on a life partner? Would you participate in a premarital health screening program? Why? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form below to send your comments.