The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) announced the addition of the genetic counselors' designation to the list of assistant medical professions, to reduce the health risks that could affect the community's individuals caused by genetic factors and in planning for a better future for the family.
In his statement, the Director of the Healthcare Professions Department at MoPH Dr Saad al-Kaabi clarified that such a step came within the framework of the national health strategy which sets preventive health on top of its priorities, and has adopted a project that aims to offer counselling concerning genetic diseases for those who are about to marry in the Qatari community. He pointed out that such a step will contribute to affording the relevant genetic counseling with respect to pathological cases such as hereditary cancer syndromes, hereditary maternal and fetal disorders, metabolic disorders and other rare genetic diseases, and providing genetic counseling to them and their families.
For her part, Deputy Chair of the Medical Genetics Department at Hamad Medical Corp (HMC) and Consultant in Genetic Counseling in Oncology
Dr Reem al-Sulaiman emphasised that there is an imperative for the provision of ample and professional human cadres in this rare profession to further address the upsurge in the prevalence of genetic disorders and birth defects, and the increasing frequency of births of children suffering from some genetic disorders that affect physical, psychological and mental health, and which constitutes a great burden on both the healthcare system in Qatar and the resources of the community. It was also pointed out that such a matter creates a challenge that precipitates the imperative of combining the entire medical and societal concerted efforts to overcome this phenomenon based on science and proof, by observing the culture of the community, customs and traditions.
In addition, Senior Consultant and Head of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics at HMC Dr Tawfiq bin Omran indicated that the launch of the efforts dedicated to adding the genetic counseling designation marks the issuance of the Amiri Decision of 2009, which calls for those who are about to marry in Qatar to subject to genetic tests, and request genetic counseling from medical professionals to ensure protection against diseases that could result in genetic disorders and epigenetic factors.
Qatar is one of the few countries in the Middle East to issue clearance for the genetic counselor profession in recognition of its importance, since the genetic counseling specialty is considered as a rare and unique medical profession, especially in the region, The genetic counselor holds high scientific certificates and clinical training in the areas of medical genetics and genetic counseling and operates to study the personal and family medical history, in addition to lending the patients and their families the essential counselling about the potential risks and genetic diseases.
The profession of genetic counselors appeared about 50 years ago, and there are approximately 7,000 certified genetic counselors who practice their profession worldwide after obtaining higher degrees and specialised clinical training in this field.
In addition, Qatar University, in co-operation with genetic experts at HMC, established the National Master's Programme in Genetic Counseling in 2018, to train more medical practitioners to become genetic counselors.
In his statement, the Director of the Healthcare Professions Department at MoPH Dr Saad al-Kaabi clarified that such a step came within the framework of the national health strategy which sets preventive health on top of its priorities, and has adopted a project that aims to offer counselling concerning genetic diseases for those who are about to marry in the Qatari community. He pointed out that such a step will contribute to affording the relevant genetic counseling with respect to pathological cases such as hereditary cancer syndromes, hereditary maternal and fetal disorders, metabolic disorders and other rare genetic diseases, and providing genetic counseling to them and their families.
For her part, Deputy Chair of the Medical Genetics Department at Hamad Medical Corp (HMC) and Consultant in Genetic Counseling in Oncology
Dr Reem al-Sulaiman emphasised that there is an imperative for the provision of ample and professional human cadres in this rare profession to further address the upsurge in the prevalence of genetic disorders and birth defects, and the increasing frequency of births of children suffering from some genetic disorders that affect physical, psychological and mental health, and which constitutes a great burden on both the healthcare system in Qatar and the resources of the community. It was also pointed out that such a matter creates a challenge that precipitates the imperative of combining the entire medical and societal concerted efforts to overcome this phenomenon based on science and proof, by observing the culture of the community, customs and traditions.
In addition, Senior Consultant and Head of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics at HMC Dr Tawfiq bin Omran indicated that the launch of the efforts dedicated to adding the genetic counseling designation marks the issuance of the Amiri Decision of 2009, which calls for those who are about to marry in Qatar to subject to genetic tests, and request genetic counseling from medical professionals to ensure protection against diseases that could result in genetic disorders and epigenetic factors.
Qatar is one of the few countries in the Middle East to issue clearance for the genetic counselor profession in recognition of its importance, since the genetic counseling specialty is considered as a rare and unique medical profession, especially in the region, The genetic counselor holds high scientific certificates and clinical training in the areas of medical genetics and genetic counseling and operates to study the personal and family medical history, in addition to lending the patients and their families the essential counselling about the potential risks and genetic diseases.
The profession of genetic counselors appeared about 50 years ago, and there are approximately 7,000 certified genetic counselors who practice their profession worldwide after obtaining higher degrees and specialised clinical training in this field.
In addition, Qatar University, in co-operation with genetic experts at HMC, established the National Master's Programme in Genetic Counseling in 2018, to train more medical practitioners to become genetic counselors.
