Oman hospital works on devices for blood disease diagnosis

Muscat: The Royal Hospital is developing qualitative analytical and diagnostic laboratory devices for various blood diseases.

“The National Centre for Genetic Health at the hospital is developing the devices in a move to counter the high incidence of genetic diseases in Oman,” said Oman News Agency.

Dr Musallam Al Araimi, Head of Genetic Counselling and Genetic Education Department, the National Genetic Centre, said that Oman sees a high incidence of genetic diseases, ranging between 5.4 per cent and 7 per cent, whereas the global rate does not exceed 4.4 per cent.

Over 300 types of mutations that cause genetic diseases have been recorded in Oman, including 150 mutations of new genes and amino sites. Further, statistics show that 37 per cent of the deaths of newborns is due to severe congenital genetic disorders.

Dr Alia Al-Housniyah, a molecular geneticist and human genome specialist, who works with the Royal Hospital and the National Centre for Genetic Health, has diagnosed a number of rare genetic conditions.

“Community awareness of genetic diseases would contribute to reducing the incidence in Oman,” she added.