N Mansoor, 22, never expected to have a genetic blood disorder. In the run-up to her wedding, Mansoor discovered that she was a carrier of thalassaemia, following a compulsory prenuptial testing.
"I was shocked to find out," Mansoor told XPRESS. "But I was also relieved to know that my children will not be thalassaemic as my husband is not a carrier."
The aim of prenuptial genetic tests, which became mandatory from September 9 in Dubai for both Emiratis and expatriates in Dubai, is to prevent the spread of genetic blood disorders like thalassaemia and sickle cell which are prevalent in the GCC.
"The GCC has a higher tendency of genetic disorders because of the tendency to marry within the same blood lines," said Dr Ebtihal Darwish, director of medical affairs at the Primary Healthcare unit under the Dubai Health Authority.
"Compulsory testing is a necessary step to ensure that our future generation is not affected by disorders like thalassaemia, which are already burdening the healthcare sector in the UAE."
According to unofficial estimates, there are 1,000 cases of thalassaemia and more than 100 cases of sickle cell anaemia in the UAE.
Dr Darwish said, however, this may only be the "tip of the iceberg" because of lack of data.
To avoid this scenario, couples are now tested for diseases like thalassaemia, sickle cell, hepatitis B and C and sexually-transmitted diseases. The tests are free of cost for Emiratis and Dh200 for expatriates.
Up to 80 couples get premarital screening done each month in Dubai since September 9, said Dr Darwish.
A compatibility certificate is issued within a week if the subjects are normal. If the report is positive, the procedure varies.
"If one of the partners is HIV positive, we do not issue a certificate even if the other partner agrees to marry an HIV patient.
"If both partners are thalassaemic, we advise them not to get married. If they insist, we go ahead and issue a certificate," said Dr Darwish.
