MOPH Organizes the Work of Genetic Counselors in Cooperation with HMC
Ministry of Public Health announced the addition of “Genetic Counselor” to the list of auxiliary medical professions organized by the Department of Health Specialties at the Ministry in accordance with Law No. 8 of 1991, in response to the urgent need to benefit from this profession in planning for a better family healthy future and reducing the health risks that may affect members of society as a result of genetic factors
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Dr. Saad Al-Kaabi, Director of Healthcare Professions Department at the Ministry of Public Health, said: "This step is part of the National Health Strategy, which put preventive health at the top of its priorities, and adopted a project aimed at providing counseling regarding genetic diseases of those who are intending to get married in the Qatari society, in addition to providing genetic counseling related to various pathological conditions such as hereditary cancerous tumors, hereditary maternal and fetal diseases, metabolic diseases and other rare genetic diseases, as well as providing genetic counseling for them and their families."
The State of Qatar is one of the few countries in the Middle East region that issues a license for the profession of genetic counselor in recognition of its importance. The genetic counseling specialty is one of the rare and unique medical professions, especially in our region. The genetic counselor is a healthcare professional with higher degrees, and clinical training in the fields of medical genetics and genetic counseling.
The genetic counselor studies personal and family history, advises patients and their families on possible genetic risks and diseases, requests and interprets appropriate genetic tests, explains their effects on patients and their families, guides patients and their families and enables them to understand the basics of medical and genetic genetics, supports them psychologically and socially to make informed decisions and choices and adapt to their health condition, makes the necessary referrals to medical specialties and ensures follow-up throughout their lives.
Dr. Reem Al Sulaiman, Genetic Diseases Consultant and Deputy Chair Medical Genetics at Hamad Medical Corporation, said: "The availability of adequate human resources specialized in this rare field is essential to counter the high prevalence of genetic disorders and birth defects, and the increasing numbers of children born with some genetic imbalances that affect physical, psychological and mental health, which represents a significant burden on the healthcare system in the country and on the resources of society, and creates a challenge that needs concerted medical and society efforts to confront this problem based on science and evidence, taking into account the culture, customs and traditions of society."
Qatar University, in collaboration with HMC's genetics experts, established the National Master of Genetic Counseling Program in 2018 to train more practitioners to become genetics consultants, be able to serve the community, and support Qatar's promising genome program, which aims to prepare genetic mapping of the country's population.
Dr. Tawfiq bin Omran, Senior Consultant of Genetic and Metabolic Diseases at Hamad Medical Corporation, said: "The launch of all these efforts came with the issuance of the Amiri Decree in 2009, which calls on those who are intending to get married in the State of Qatar to undergo genetic tests, and then seek genetic advice from specialists, in order to avoid diseases that may result from genetic imbalances and genetic factors and to help reduce the transmission of genetic diseases between generations, and in pursuit of achieving Qatar Vision 2030 in the presence of physically and psychologically healthy population and avoiding genetic diseases in society"
The genetic counselor profession emerged about 50 years ago, and there are now nearly 7,000 certified genetic counselors practicing their profession worldwide after obtaining higher degrees and specialized clinical training in this field.
Source: Ministry of Public Health
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