Abu Dhabi: The Department of Health in Abu Dhabi (DoH-AD) has highlighted the importance of pre-marital testing for all couples planning to marry in the emirate. This mandatory procedure aims to safeguard public health by detecting and addressing infectious and hereditary diseases before marriage.
“Premarital examinations are a mandatory procedure for all UAE citizens aged 18 and older before getting married,” the DoH-AD said on its website.
The examinations aim to preserve public health by ensuring that infectious and hereditary diseases are detected and dealt with during the premarital stage, the DOH added.
Infectious diseases
The program includes mandatory testing for infectious diseases like HIV, Hepatitis B & C, and syphilis, along with hereditary blood disorders such as Beta-thalassaemia and sickle cell anaemia. Additionally, German measles (Rubella) and blood group compatibility are checked.
DoH-AD strongly recommends couples to undergo optional genetic testing, which analyses 570 genes for over 840 potential diseases.
This can significantly improve a couple’s family planning by reducing congenital disabilities in children, preventing the transmission of genetic diseases and identifying couples at risk for having children with complex medical needs
The DoH-AD announcement recommended that people who plan to get married undergo genetic testing before consummating their marriage, to prepare an integrated and precise plan to proactively manage genetic diseases, if they exist.
