Young Omanis have been urged to undergo pre-marital screening by the authorities. The Ministry of Health stressed the importance of medical checks to reduce the prevalence of genetic blood diseases in Oman
The ministry reassured that all pre-marriage medical examinations will be treated confidentially and results will be disclosed only to the person applying for the examination, reports Oman Observer.
According to the ministry, 6 in 10 Omanis carry a gene of inherited blood disorder, which causes the alarming prevalence of genetic diseases in the country.
“The probability a newborn will have genetic diseases in Oman is five to seven per cent compared to the global average, which is less than five per cent”, said the ministry.