DOHA: The mandatory premarital screening being done for expatriates at private hospitals is likely to be re-introduced at primary health centres by 2018, says a senior official.
Primary Healthcare Corporation is making plans to re-introduce free tests for expats at health centres, Dr Mariam Ibrahim Al Mass, Head of Premarital Screening Programme, Service Development and Health Promotion Department at Primary Healthcare Corporation (PHCC) told The Peninsula.
In 2009, five primary health centres conducted free tests for nationals and expats.
However last year, the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) authorised three private hospitals to screen expats, while tests at health centres have been restricted to Qataris.
“We are planning maybe by 2018 to expand pre-marital screening for the whole population once again at healthcare centres,” said Dr Al Mass.
Qatar started mandatory screenings mainly to alert couples who may be related, of any potential health risks for their future children.
Many marriages across Gulf region are between cousins. At 54 percent, the rate of consanguinity appears highest in Qatar with 34.8 percent of first cousin marriages.
It has increased from 41.8 percent to 54.5 percent from the previous generation, according to reports.
Couples are especially screened for specific diseases which are common among some families in Qatar, said Dr Al Mass
The most common genetic disorders are cystic fibrosis — a disorder that affects most critically the lungs, pancreas, liver, and intestine; homocystinuria — a disease during which the body is unable to process certain building blocks of proteins (amino acids) properly; and spinal muscular atrophy — obvious in various degrees of severity which have in common general muscle wasting and mobility impairment. It is the most common genetic cause of infant death.
“These genetic diseases are common in the region. Their prevalence is also equally common,” said Al Mass.
Every month, primary health centres screen average of 300 couples and they usually come for two visits for tests and follow-up.
Dr Al Mass didn’t provide details about the percentage of couples identified with the common genetic diseases.
“Depending on the problem we advise couples or direct them for further medical help.
There are categories of the diseases like infectious diseases, mainly sexually transmitted diseases, genetic and haematological diseases,” Dr Al Mass added.
“So when we find any of these diseases we have to refer people to specialised clinics at Hamad Medical Corporation, for more tests and counselling,” she added.
However, the role of pre-marital screening is limited to giving advice and counselling, the decision to get married or not, will remain with the couple.
“We advise couples not to get married depending on the disease. We counsel them, we give them aspects of transferring the disease to the next generation.
“And then the choice is up to them, we cannot prevent any one from getting married by force,” according to Dr Al Mass.
The Peninsula
