“Emirates Health” examines 4,000 “genetic” couples… and the result is 4% cases of “incompatibility.”

The Emirates Health Services Corporation revealed that the premarital genetic screening program recorded a wide attendance, as more than 4,000 couples underwent it, as part of the country’s efforts to enhance the prevention of hereditary diseases and build healthier Emirati families.

She explained to “Emirates Today” that about 4% of the tests performed (equivalent to 160 couples) showed genetic incompatibility, and these cases are dealt with by referring the couples to specialized genetic counseling to explain the nature of the genes discovered and the mechanism of their transmission, and when the spouses wish to complete the marriage, advanced medical solutions and options are provided.

She confirmed that a clear change had been observed in the decisions of couples since the start of the implementation of the premarital genetic screening program. After the rate of completion of marriage in positive cases (incompatibility) was approximately 90% when the program was launched, it has now decreased to about 75%, which reflects increasing societal awareness of the risks of transmission of genetic diseases and greater reliance on medical opinion in shaping the future of the family.

In detail, the Director of the Mental Health Department and the Visiting Doctors Office at the Emirates Health Services Corporation, Dr. Nour Al Muhairi, said that the premarital genetic screening program, which began its mandatory implementation since January 2025, contributed to creating a qualitative shift in societal awareness and the prevention of genetic diseases, through early detection and enabling couples to make decisions based on medical knowledge, within an integrated national system aimed at supporting the prevention of genetic diseases and improving the quality of life of Emirati families. She added to “Emirates Today”: “Since the launch of the genetic screening program before… Marriage: In the Foundation’s health facilities, we conducted tests on more than 8,000 people, and the percentage of non-matching positive cases was about 4%. This percentage means the presence of genes that may be passed on to children, which requires early intervention through genetic counseling.

She continued: “Once the positive result appears, an appointment is booked for the couple to explain the nature of the discovered gene, how it is transmitted, and the expected health possibilities for the children in the future. We are keen to give them a complete and transparent picture, and present to them all options and solutions whether they decide to complete the marriage or not.”

Al Muhairi explained that if the two parties choose to complete the marriage, the institution provides them with advanced medical solutions such as “artificial insemination programs” with genetic examinations of the embryos, with the aim of ensuring the safety of the embryos, keeping them away from genetic and hereditary diseases, and giving birth to healthy children, stressing: “There are cases of couples who benefited from these services, and were able to achieve pregnancy after careful follow-up within the artificial insemination program and path.”

She indicated that there has been a noticeable development in society’s awareness since the beginning of the implementation of premarital genetic testing.

She said: “At the beginning of the program, the rate of completion of marriage, despite the positive result, was approximately 90%, but today it has decreased to about 75%, and this change reflects a greater understanding among those about to get married of the seriousness of some genetic diseases and their concern for the future of their children.”

She continued: “Any new program requires time and effort in raising awareness, but today we see increasing acceptance and more responsible decisions based on medical advice, and the ultimate goal is always to protect the family and ensure the birth of healthy Emirati generations.”

Genetic testing before marriage allows for the detection of shared genetic mutations between spouses that are 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 currently provides the genetic screening service 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 Foundation 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 UAE’s vision of 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.