The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) in the UAE has launched the National Newborn Screening Guidelines to standardize and enhance medical examination procedures for newborns, aligning with international best practices.
The guidelines aim to prevent early health complications by establishing a standardized list of required tests and designating reference laboratories nationwide.
Prominent officials, including Dr. Nada Hassan Al Marzouqi and Dr. Suad Al Awar, attended the launch event, emphasizing the initiative's goal to improve newborn care quality through consistent screening approaches. These measures are expected to reduce morbidity and mortality rates among newborns and build healthcare provider capacity. The guidelines also stress the importance of parental guidance and health education.
Dr. Hussain Abdul Rahman Al Rand highlighted the Ministry's commitment to comprehensive preventive and therapeutic health services, aligning with the strategic objective of achieving high-level healthcare. The guidelines aim to facilitate early diagnosis of genetic and metabolic disorders, hearing abnormalities, heart defects, and other congenital anomalies, supporting the creation of a genetic disease database and enhancing community awareness.
During the launch workshop, members of the National Newborn Screening Committee were honoured, and Dr. Suad Al Awar provided an introduction to the program. The session covered various aspects of the guidelines, including procedures, result reporting, blood spot tests, and performance indicators.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
