Health ministry inaugurates first govt DNA lab at MBS
Until now, such DNA testing services were provided only by a private organisation, the Society for Health Education.
Maldivian Blood Services on Sunday opened a DNA laboratory, marking the first time a government health facility in the Maldives has introduced the service.
The laboratory was inaugurated by Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim at a ceremony held at the Maldivian Blood Services premises.
According to officials, this is the first government-run laboratory established to conduct DNA testing related to thalassaemia and haemoglobin disorders.
The service is intended to support early identification of individuals who carry inherited thalassaemia traits, including testing prior to marriage. Authorities said the laboratory will also support the introduction of prenatal diagnosis services related to thalassaemia.
Until now, such DNA testing services were provided only by a private organisation, the Society for Health Education.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ibrahim Abdul Razzaq Haleem, Chief Executive Officer of the Malé City Group of Hospitals, said the laboratory will analyse inherited blood mutations relevant to the Maldives and provide results within a shorter timeframe.
He said the laboratory has the capacity to identify 27 types of blood-related genetic mutations. Haleem added that the testing kits have been developed based on the types of blood disorders recorded in the Maldives and are intended for use in clinical blood treatment services.
