Some 3,000 Saudis diagnosed with genetic diseases have rejected advice from the Health Ministry and decided to marry, a health official has said.
These Saudis were among 7,500 people declared incompatible last year because they had illnesses they could pass on to their children, said Mohammad Al-Suwaidi, director general of the ministry’s genetic diseases department.
The ministry tests for sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, hepatitis B and C, and HIV.
Some 4,500 of those found with such disease, or 60 percent, did not go ahead with their marriage plans.
Explaining the danger, Al-Suwaidi said that if two spouses are both carriers of sickle cell disease or thalassemia, for example, there is a 50 percent chance that their children would also have the illness.
Despite some couples deciding to tie the knot, he said the fact that more people are opting not to do so showed an increased understanding of the potential danger posed by these illnesses.
The ministry tests between 270,000 and 300,000 Saudis a year for genetic illnesses before they decide to marry. Since it started testing 11 years ago, the ministry found 4.2 percent carrying sickle cell anemia, who then passed on the illness to 0.3 percent of the children. It also found that 1.5 percent were carriers of thalassemia and infected 0.3 percent.
Arab News reported last month, quoting Health Ministry statistics, that 1.8 million Saudis had canceled their marriage plans after tests showed they were genetically incompatible.
This constituted 60 percent of the 3 million people who took the required premarital screening over the past 11 years. The ministry aims to reduce the financial burden on the state’s health system, and on families with ill children.
Genetic disorders, and in particular hemoglobinopathies such as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia are common in Saudi Arabia, especially in the eastern and southern regions. An estimated SR100,000 is spent annually on a patient suffering from sickle cell anemia or thalassemia, while HIV and bone marrow patients need SR100,000 and SR500,000 respectively.
There are 130 centers throughout the Kingdom, which include 91 laboratories and 80 clinics, for couples to get counseling. These facilities are staffed by 1,120 workers. The target is to reach 90 percent of prospective couples but so far the ministry has only covered 60 percent under the program.
Arab News
