3,699 couples of citizens underwent “pre-marriage” genetic testing during 2025

The Emirates Health Services Corporation revealed that it conducted 3,699 genetic tests as part of pre-marital examinations in its health centers, from the beginning of January to December 2025, within the framework of an integrated national system, which aims to enhance the prevention of genetic diseases, and improve the quality of life of Emirati families and the quality of community life.

The Foundation told Emirates Today that the test results detected 130 cases of genetic incompatibility between couples, and their owners were directed to specialized counseling paths that enable and assist them in making informed decisions regarding family and future health planning, in accordance with the highest approved medical standards.

According to these results, 96.5% of the total of 3,699 couples examined during the current year showed genetic compatibility, while cases of genetic incompatibility constituted 3.5% of the total cases.

In detail, the Emirates Health Services Corporation revealed to Emirates Today the latest results of the genetic test included in the pre-marital examinations, which 3,699 couples underwent at the Foundation’s centers, from the beginning of January to this December, as part of an integrated national system aimed at supporting the prevention of hereditary diseases and improving the quality of life of Emirati families. The test results monitored 130 cases of genetic incompatibility, and their owners were directed to a specialized counseling path, which helps them make informed decisions about planning for their families.

Dr. Karima Al Raisi, Director of the Primary Health Care Department at the Emirates Health Services Corporation, confirmed that the updated results reflect the growing impact of the service as a pivotal tool in promoting preventive health, adding: “Genetic testing represents an essential step in building a health system capable of anticipating genetic risks, and enabling community members to make informed decisions based on accurate data.”

She said: “The Foundation, in line with the state’s directions and the strategy of the Emirates Genome Council, is working to establish an advanced national structure for the prevention of genetic diseases, based on specialized clinical expertise and new generation laboratory testing techniques.”

The Foundation explained that the genetic examination allows for the detection of genetic mutations shared between spouses and likely to be transmitted to their children, as the examination covers 570 genes for more than 840 medical conditions, with a commitment to issuing the results within 14 working days. In the event of an incompatible result, a joint consultation is booked for both parties with a geneticist, to explain the nature of the genetic mutations likely to be transmitted to their offspring, and to provide the necessary guidance to ensure healthy and sound planning for future pregnancies.

Emirates Health confirmed that it will continue to enhance community awareness of the importance of genetic testing through systematic awareness efforts, including a direct explanation from doctors to those about to get married about the goals of the test and clarifying the results, in addition to media campaigns via radio and social media platforms, and organizing customer councils in health care centers, to educate families and youth about the importance of genetic prevention and its role in establishing healthier generations.

It indicated that it currently provides genetic testing services in 21 of its health centers in various emirates of the country, as part of an integrated system of pre-marital examinations, aiming at early detection of hereditary and infectious diseases, providing specialized medical advice, and supporting couples with accurate information that contributes to building families that enjoy sustainable health and a high quality of life.

Through the premarital genetic screening service, the Emirates Health Services Corporation aims to achieve its mission of improving the health of the individual and society, and strengthening the foundations of prevention to reduce the health burden resulting from hereditary diseases, which reflects its commitment to the vision of the UAE in enhancing the quality of life for all members of society, in line with the objectives of the “We are the Emirates” vision 2031 and the UAE Centenary 2071.

The Ministry of Health and Community Protection announced the start of the mandatory implementation of genetic testing, as part of the pre-marital examination program for all citizens about to get married nationwide, starting from January 2025, based on the decision of the Emirates Genome Council.

The decision represents a pioneering move for the country in promoting the health of generations and providing a future in which the Emirati family enjoys sustainable wellness and a healthy quality of life. It also places the country’s health sector in a distinguished competitive position in the field of developing medical personnel, building research capabilities to prevent genetic diseases and reproductive medicine solutions, and expanding the scope of benefiting from genomic science by consolidating partnerships between medical institutions locally and internationally.

Genetic testing as part of pre-marital examinations is a preventive health measure that allows those about to get married to undergo genetic tests to determine whether they carry common genetic mutations, which they may transmit to their offspring in the future, and which may cause their children to prevent hereditary diseases.